HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.349 2012-2014 Page 1 of 2
COUNTY CLERK
Murashige, Laura COUNT, nc HAWAII
From: Merle Hayward [blackbird4aloha @yahoo.com] 2013 AL _ 1 AM 9: 45
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 2:13 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bill 79 Testimony
Good morning Councilmembers. My name is Merle Hayward.
This is from Scientific American magazine: Biotech seed companies say
the benefits outweigh the risks of damage to Hawaii's fragile ecosystem.
You are entangled in the moment by farmers who don't want any
restrictions on GMOs, but every fair game needs steadfast rules. Bill
79 seeks to protect public trust resources for future generations from
harmful impacts such as activities from economic commercial gain. The
rules are that if you contaminate, you are responsible.
For years after GMO papaya was planted, the creators denied there was
contamination. It took private citizens working through Hawaii Genetic
Engineering Action Network to pay for lab testing, which results showed
statewide contamination, the highest being on Hawaii Island. Did the
makers of GMO papaya clean up the rogue trees that escaped into the
wild when non-GMO and organic farmers lost their markets? NO. Did
they compensate them? NO. Did they bag their contaminating flowers?
NO.
Bill 79 is the great equalizer, giving equal standing to GMO papaya
growers, cattlemen who want to import GMO feed, and to horticulturists,
medical and agriculture researchers, open-ended standing. What it does
not do is throw open the doors of this island to an unrestricted GMO
future. These ag sectors are IN and can carry on business by following
contamination rules. They're IN. So what was the Friday protest all
about? They are being used as the frontline cavalry for the biotech
industry. Back in 1998, CTAHR published well-reasoned guidance on
GMOs: "human fallibility raises concerns about the proper application of
the new technology. We need to be assured that genetically engineered
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products serve the public good, not just the agenda of the producer."
We have an opportunity through this bill to serve the public good, so
please do not abandon this bill. Containment sections need work. With
current papaya culture using hermaphrodite trees, buffers may not be
needed. GMO corn, however, cannot be exempt because it is impossible
to contain, as will be many of the 70-80 new GMOs coming down the
pipeline. Corn pollen has been found in the Arctic and Antarctica.
Opting for a task force study is expensive and what could it reveal that
we haven't learned from global experience with GMOs? Post task force, I
believe we will just return to square one. Don't give up the bill after just
two hearings.
Thank you.
Merle Hayward
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
7/1/2013