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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.576 2012-2014 COUNTY C.L L,K COUNTY OF RECEIVED Testimony—Hearing on Bill 79 Date IMP) Nancy Redfeather Kawanui,Kona July 2, 2013 —Kona Civic Center Introduction: 20 years Ag Education on Hawai'i Island, I am Director of the Hawai'i Public Seed Initiative a project of The Kohala Center and our partners in CTAHR Extension. Last year we worked with 200 farmers and gardeners statewide to renew on farm seed growing knowledge. Today I speak as a Private citizen about the need to protect and build our island seed resources as a sustainable foundation for our agricultural future. Bill 79 presents a unique opportunity for Hawai'i Island to choose a more sustainable direction for food and farming. I support the intent of this bill with suggestions for amendments. Seed is the Foundation of Life. For 10,000 years farmers and gardeners grew, selected, improved and saved seed for the next planting. Seed has always been a natural resource that was in the public hands. But over the past 30 years beginning with the Supreme Court decision in 1980 there has been a consolidation of the seed industry from public to private. (handout)Today, we have lost 95% of all seed varieties that were grown in the United States in 1900 and 10 biotech companies control 70%of the world's seed and seed genetics. The former chemical now life science companies have created a seed monopoly though worldwide patents with the intention of controlling the seed and the food crops of the world and the sale of accompanying pesticides and herbicides. Hawai'i Island is uniquely isolated from the experimental field trials of GE crops on 4 other islands,and would be well positioned to be the control group and center for seed growing for both food and feed crops. (public research agenda handout) We know that whenever a GE crop is introduced into a geographical area, it is only a matter of time before there is widespread contamination of genetics for ALL farmers. What appears to be a"new tool"for fanners actually ends up removing choice and profitability from ALL farmers. This is our lesson from the papaya. Suggestions for Amendments to the Bill. 1. As far as the papaya goes,the cow has left the barn and it is too late to close the door. I suggest no buffer zone, no signage, and no registration or fees. The University of Hawaii gave the Rainbow seed to farmers and the public in 1998 and anyone can buy a Rainbow papaya at the market and plant the seed in their backyard. Contrary to comments in the paper this week, it is no secret that Rainbow papayas are GE. 2. For Island Dairy to phase out the growing of GE corn silage over a year and Begin consulting with Dr. James Brewbaker at UHM to source and grow one of his disease resistant corn varieties for the tropics. Dr. Brewbaker has a world renowned corn breeding program and we should be working with him. They could begin growing their own seed, and develop market statewide. Comm. No. aye 574 Ref. To: e//SM T` Ref. Date JUL 0 2 2013 3. I have also provided the cover of a recent publication by PANNA (that is available online)that summarizes consequences for children's health and their ability to learn and exposure to low levels of pesticides. I urge you to read this online summary of research. Mahalo for your time. ,N. II E as E 1 12 * 4i , ,g 61., ._ t, 0, < 11, I I I „ 4 ' _ •E cz .E 0- u2 llo . - \ i E a) E tis „ 0 cz 0 _`1) . ,.. ) ,.. 2 ' , 7, u-)17a) 6- LI-- 0 E 1 , , ,,,,, ti ' , I. I 0 i L w co 1 44 ,t • . >, .0'72 -- = ,x) 1■ = • .1■1 : 0 „ ■ ' ‘ 11 ' a) = %— cu cz +.1 0 1 0, , 0 , 0 >+ CNI l I a) V) UM I = 2 E il■O CD a_ § (I) to , ,, , Ir i -E-. r, ,, r 2 t1 . ''''. c5 .7) ■— -2- cic=i 13 0) I , ' C r /+ a) i • . i ,., . . , 0, .1■1‘ 0 ' ,, 4), CZ as 6ci PI .1 0 , co E 1 a.) • ,i 1111 F E ' • J i ' 1 r it. U) —0 , ' 0 : TZ r., T3") r77)) 0 lk AL 11 Ill . . . ., i TO C 0 I ,, 1 .0 f' i S18 1— i. f.E• , -- I 0 1 - , 1 z _ t PL c Seven Key Elements of a Great Public Agricultural Research System I AGree 6/27/13 3:29 PM Follow Us: AGree Food&Ay Po, "Y HOME ABOUT US POSITIONS PUBLICATIONS NEWS MEDIA CONTACT US Seven Key Elements of a Great Public Agricultural Research System Submitted by Liz Carlisle on Mon,2013-06-24 14:28 Latest AGree News The views presented in these blogs are those of the authors. * AGree Hails Senate Passage of We recently wrote one of five papers in response to a call for concept notes issued by AGree to elicit bold Bipartisan Immigration Reform ideas on strengthening the U.S.public sector agricultural research system.The papers are available here. We believe the following seven recommendations are critical ingredients for building a more efficient and • Invitation for Concept Notes on sustainable public agricultural research system that responds to the challenges of the future: Conservation Infrastructure and Delivery 1. Agroecology and Biologically Diversified Farming Systems:Enhancing Ecosystem Services • AGree Letter in Support of S 744 to and from Agriculture Sent to U.S.Senators One of the most promising strategies for achieving better social,ecological,and economic sustainability a AGree Commends Bipartisan in US agriculture is a new focus for REE on biologically diversified farming systems.For USDA research, Immigration Reform Initiative education,and extension,this will mean a heightened focus on the discipline concerned with designing a AGree announces support for and evaluating such systems:agroecology.A new strategic emphasis on agroecology and biologically bipartisan Framework for diversified farming systems would prioritize projects that further develop scientific knowledge of the role Comprehensive Immigration of biological diversity in enhancing ecosystem services to and from agroecosystems(Alfieri 1999,Collins Reform and Qualset 1999,Zhang et al.2007). 2. Multi-disciplinary`Whole Systems'Research:Understanding Agriculture as Complex Socio-ecological Systems Related Video The second strategic emphasis follows necessarily from the first:understanding and exploiting the full potential of biologically diversified agriculture will require multi-disciplinary and multi-scale scientific AGree Vision for 2030 analyses that relate farming system and landscape-scale biodiversity to the full range of ecological and social services(Robertson et al.2004,Tscharntke et al.2005,Naeem et al.2009,Bacon et al.2012,in press).In addition to quantifying and describing the impact of farming system biodiversity on ecological and social conditions,this research would also serve to identify important economic and policy obstacles to achieving environmental and social sustainability in agriculture(Allen et al.1991,Gliessman 2001, Allen 2008,Iles and Marsh 2012,in press). Featured Report • Vision,Mission and Principles 3. Complete Life Cycle Analysis:A Net Gain Perspective While assessing whole systems,USDA research and extension should evaluate current farming practices or proposed innovations on a"net gain"basis across the full life cycle of the system in question(PCAST 2012).We recommend complete life cycle analysis,in which social,economic and ecological dimensions would be considered in a comprehensive accounting of constraints,costs,and benefits. 4. Multidisciplinary Teams The type of research and extension we are recommending will require collaboration.Studying whole systems in ways that account for costs and benefits,both ecological and social,will require multidisciplinary teams.Such multidisciplinary teams should include scholars with different fields of expertise relevant to the system and research question at hand.For a research project exploring the restoration of an indigenous agricultural system,for example,a team of eight might include an agronomist,a microbiologist,a sociologist,a biogeographer,a land use planner,a public health specialist, an entomologist,and a soil ecologist.Multidisciplinary teams should also include extension and other http://foodandagpolicy.org/content/seven-key-elements-great-public-agricultural-research-system Page 1 of 3 How pesticides are undermining our children's health & intelligence ,e„ ;>. {{ • ."1011101 milow PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA � . U ).G NATIONAL r m AGRICULTURAL - STATISTICS liira7 c�U NHS SERVICE f- - .-I � : rm Facts USDA July 2012 iiiiiiiiiiiiii 2011 Hawaii Papaya Utilization and Price Down Hawaii fresh papaya PAPAYAS: Fresh Utilization and Price, In cooperation with utilization for 2011 is State of Hawaii, 1992-2011 7 4 Department estimated at 28.6 million Million pounds Cents per pound ofAgriculture pounds, down 5 percent 70 60 STATE OF HAWAII from 2010. Fresh utilization accounted for 97 percent of 60 so the total or 27.7 million 50 ` / '% 40 Inside this issue: pounds, 5 percent below a 40 ■■ year ago. Acreage in crop ., ' ' 30 30 '' —. Papayas 1-5 decreased 75 acres to 2,000 �' 20 and harvested acreage 20 _ _ Avocados 6-8 —Fresh Utilization — Fresh Price dropped 5o acres to 1,30o. 10 10 The papaya value declined o 0 Macadamia Nuts 9-15 13 percent to $9.7 million 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 mainly due to lower prices and limited sales. periodic heavy rain fell causing disease outbreaks and affecting fruit quality. Growers were still Weather for 2011 was having concerns with pest and disease problems, generally dry with some low prices, vandalism, and high cost of inputs. areas of the State under Lower prices have been a deciding factor for some drought conditions. How- growers to discontinue papaya production. On the ever, most of the crop was brighter side and after a decade of waiting for grown on the eastside of clearance, commercial shipments of genetically Hawaii County, where modified papayas from Hawaii have been favorable weather con- approved for export to Japan, providing additional ditions prevailed. Some marketing opportunity for growers. • PAPAYAS: Number of Farms,Acreage, Utilization, Farm Price, and Value, State of Hawaii, 2007-2011 Utilization Farm Price Year Farms Total Production Value of Area Area Processed Fresh All Processed Fresh All Sales Market Number Acres 1,000 pounds cents/lb. $1.000 2007 178 2,065 1,310 2,200 31,200 33,400 3.8 41.7 39.2 13,094 2008 177 2,190 1,380 2,000 31,500 33,500 3.0 45.5 43.0 14,393 2009 177 2,025 1,325 1,200 30,300 31,500 3.0 46.7 45.0 14,186 2010 173 2,075 1,350 900 29,200 30,100 3.0 38.0 37.0 11,123 2011 172 2,000 1,300 900 27,700 28,600 3.0 35.0 34.0 9,722 USDA, NASS, Hawaii Field Office • 1428 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 PH: (808)973-9588 • FAX: (808) 973-2909 • WEB: www.nass.usda.gov/hi • • From: nancy redfeather<nredfeather @kohalacenter.org> Subject: GMO Crops Mean More Herbicide,Not Less-Forbes Date: July 3,2013 7:36:40 AM HST To: Nancy Redfeather<nredfeather @kohalacenter.org> - FREE Report: 12 Stocks to Sell Now Log in Sign up Connect ©® ' Beth Hoffman,c I write about the cha rnddlt tern. +Follow(60) FOOD&DRINK 7/02/2013 @ 11:39AM 2,751 views GMO Crops Mean More Herbicide, Not Less +Comment Now +Follow Comments Over the past 15 years,farmers around the world have planted ever ^ l of 1.. G- 100 larger tracts of genetically engineered OD crops. ro _«.is,.... PO According to the USDA,in 2012 more '° —•�-- than 93 percent of soy planted was >4 _M; "herbicide tolerant,"engineered to o I withstand herbicides(sold by the N01,p•"4ID00 AP/20.2201)A∎200SZ06,./.,100 MN MO.MO PM ••/ same companies who patent and sell ••• o+u*..m c • urcor•n�m..yese..e�DDT NT.m el�e.e.e�e.e ••• s.,A,�w r�...�.,n..,.ms..... ERS the seeds). Likewise,73 percent of all corn now is also genetically modified to withstand chemicals produced to kill competing weeds. One of the main arguments behind creating these engineered crops is that farmers then need to use less herbicide and pesticide. This makes farms titc,re eco-friendly,say proponents of genetically modified(GM)crops,and GM seeds also allow farmers to spend less on"inputs"(chemicals),thereby making a greater profit. But a pew study released by Food&Water Watch yesterday finds the goal of reduced chemical use has not panned out as planned. In fact,according to the USDA and EPA data used in the report,the quick adoption of genetically engineered crops by farmers has increased herbicide use over the past 9 years in the U.S. The report follows on the heels of another such study by Washington State University research professor Charles Benbrook just last year. Figure 2.Percentage of U.S.Acres Both reports focus on"superweeds."It turns out that spraying a pesticide asp..... ...CMw. [.n, 100%- ,a„ - 1 repeatedly selects for weeds which also 'Lt.= resist the chemical. Ever more resistant 80"- weeds are then bred,able to withstand rwa increasing amounts—and often different forms—of herbicide. 40%- At the center of debate is the pesticide 20%- glyphosate,the active ingredient in Monsanto MON-0.54%`s Round Up. Food& ON 119S "" '0°s '914 Water Watch found that the"total volume SOUeR.r:i]M�eSi prA.b Smear Mwwwrt�C.ri tNrw Ye.Bw W.rirr `�"'•"""" ^"�"°�� of glyphosate applied to the three biggest GE crops—corn,cotton and soybeans— increased io-fold from 15 million pounds in 1996 to 159 million pounds in 2012." Overall pesticide use decreased only in the first few years GE crops were used(42 percent between 1998 and 2001)and has since then risen by 26 percent from 2001 to 2010. By 2011 there were also three times as many herbicide-resistant weeds found in farmer's fields as there were in 2001. This has meant huge profits for agribusinesses developing and selling genetically engineered seeds,herbicides and pesticides. Seed revenues have septupled(increased seven fold)since 1998. Figure 1.Global Revenue from Sales of GE Seeds UN$er UON} $15— S1_,3 $12 — �, S'' S. s• S9 — 56.2 SE.9 5'5 t6 — sc- 553 e3 52.7 f27 53.0 53.3 $3.9 I 5ms■�Is 0.! 1996 1996 2000 2002 2004 2006 2006 2010 2012 Fixing the problem is of course not going to be easy. But Food&Water Watch lists several suggestions,including the recommendation that the USDA "dedicate research dollars to developing alternatives for sustainable management of herbicide-resistant weeds." This is a solution that needs far more attention,and could be an economic boon for agriculture and green jobs across the country. It is also an idea I will discuss more later next week.