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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.655 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura COUNTY CLERK From: Paul Towers [ptowers©panna.org] COUNTY OF HAWAII Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 6:39 AM To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us 2013 MAY 14 PM Cc: mwille @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: testimony for Bill 79 Attachments: PAN support Hawaii Bill 79 pdf Dear County Council, Please find the attached testimony in support of Bill 79 on Wednesday's Committee on Mass Transit and Public Safety agenda. Sincerely, Paul Towers Organizing & Media Director Pesticide Action Network North America "Advancing alternatives to pesticides worldwide" 1611 Telegraph Ave I Suite 1200 Oakland, CA 94612 (Please note our new address) Phone :: 415.625.9072 I Cell :: 916.216.1082 www.panna.org www.whatsonmyfood.org www.panna.org/blog JOIN 101 MOVEMENT Comm. No (?;7 i' to 5C Ref.To: P r PS tvcT L Ref. Dote JUL 0 2 2013 5/14/2013 May 12, 2013 Brenda Ford PeSticideAction Chair, Committee on Mass Transit and Public Safety Network Hawai'i County Council 25 Aupuni St. Hilo, Hawai'i RE: SUPPORT Comm. 271 (Bill 79—Wine) Dear Chairwoman Ford and Members of the Committee: On behalf of Pesticide Action Network North America, and our 90,000 supporters in Hawaii and across the country, we urge you to support Bill 79. This measure asserts Hawaii's local authority to ensure the success of farmers and beekeepers and ensures the rights of residents to enjoy healthy foods grown on the island. For over 16 years, pesticide and genetically engineered (GE) seed corporations have exerted undue influence on our food system while making promises on which they fail to deliver. After millions of dollars in publicly funded research, the pesticide and GE seed industry has yet to deliver on the drought-resistant, high-yield products promised. Their seeds require more pesticide use, not less. With GE crops driving up pesticide use, Hawaiian communities bear the burden of increased health risk from exposure in air, water and on food. Already communities like Waimea, Kaua'i have brought a lawsuit against Pioneer/DuPont on these grounds. Without strong state or federal leadership, local governments must rise to the occasion. Local governments across the country, including Boulder, Colorado and Lake County, California have taken similar steps to prohibit the growth of genetically engineered crops. And other local governments are poised to do the same. These governments join countries across Europe, and more recently Peru, that have instituted bans on GE crops. We must continue to support healthy agriculture in Hawaii. By placing a prohibition on GE crops, we can promote prosperous farming on the Big Island that is consistent with Hawaiian values. I respectfully ask for your support of Bill 79. Sincerely, Paul Towers Organizing & Media Director Advancing Alternatives to Pesticides Worldwide 1q11 fRIRBFa ASR; §HltR 1i88; Baking; EA 8 8li : 818: 88:8818 : WWWW:HRR§:8F0