HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.905 2012-2014 J Yoshimoto
From: Katie Fast <Katie @oregonfb.org>
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 8:38 AM
To: jyoshimoto @co.hawaii.hi.us; bford @co.hawaii.hi.us;vpoindexter @co.hawaii.hi.us;
donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; dkanuha @co.hawaii.hi.us; gilagan @co.hawaii.hi.us;
keoff @co.hawaii.hi.us; mwille @co.hawaii.hi.us;zkern @co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: Barry Forwarding
Subject: Oregon Farm Bureau testimony on Bill 79
Attachments: bill 79 Bushue testimony.docx
TO: Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit Decision Making
Oregon Farm Bureau Federation would like to submit the following attached comments on Bill 79.
Thank you,
Katie Fast I Vice President of Public Policy
Oregon Farm Bureau
M: 503.510.5293 • 0: 503.399.1701 x. 305 • F: 503.399.8082
katie@oregonfb.org • oregonfb.org • facebook • youtube o n
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July 30, 2013
COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND MASS TRANSIT
TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION TO
BILL 79
Dear Chairwoman Wille and committee members:
On behalf of the Oregon Farm Bureau Federation, I am writing in opposition to Bill 79,
which will ban the growing of genetically engineered products in Hawaii County. Bill 79
makes inaccurate assumptions that have no scientific data or facts to justify its passage.
I recognize that my membership does not reside or farm in Hawaii County. However,
Hawaii's production agriculture is important to mainland farmers. Oregon farmers and
ranchers rely on the seeds that are grown in Hawaii to be planted and grown on their
operations. Your county and state are critical parts of the viability of U.S. farmers and
food production.
Modern biotechnology is perhaps the single most important innovation that is helping
U.S. farmers be the most productive and efficient producers in the world. It enables
them to grow more crops using fewer costly inputs, while significantly improving
agriculture's impact on the environment and helping cope with the biggest challenges
we face from nature and from a growing world population.
Farmers have adopted biotechnology primarily because new traits help them produce
more per acre. However, adoption of biotechnology has also enabled a shift in
agronomic practices that is significantly reducing environmental impact and leading to
improved soil, water and air quality.
The use of herbicide tolerant crops has enabled a significant reduction in tillage
requirements to control weeds and prepare soil for planting. Conservation tillage
methods help improve soil and water quality by reducing erosion and compaction.
Insect resistant (Bt) crops have dramatically improved pest management and reduced
the use of insecticides. Biotechnology has also enabled a shift to more targeted and
effective use of relatively environmentally benign herbicides that are also less toxic.
By reducing the need for tillage and chemical applications, biotechnology is reducing
fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Limiting soil disturbance
also keeps greenhouse gases trapped in soil and organic matter.
Agriculture products derived from modern biotechnology are the most thoroughly
reviewed and strictly regulated in history. Since 1986, the U.S. has regulated plants
improved through biotechnology under the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation
of Biotechnology. Three federal agencies share regulatory responsibilities:
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the interstate movement and field-
testing of biotech crops as "regulated articles" to protect the environment. Before
any biotech crop is approved for commercial cultivation, a petition must be
granted by USDA after a thorough Plant Pest Risk Assessment and
Environmental Assessment.
• The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for ensuring that insect-
resistant biotech varieties do not pose any environmental risk and are safe to
grow and consume.
• The Food and Drug Administration uses the same regulatory safeguards for food
developed using biotech products as it does for all products in the marketplace.
The regulatory requirements of genetically modified organisms are very extensive and
thorough. The USDA, FDA and EPA all work together on all aspects of regulating
genetically engineered organisms from agriculture, food safety, and the environment. In
addition to these strict government regulations, over 600 independent studies have
found no safety or health concerns directly related to genetic modified organisms.
Thank you for recognizing the importance of Hawaiian agriculture to both the states of
Hawaii and Oregon and the U.S. population. Biotechnology is an important tool for us
all. We respectfully urge the Council to vote No to Bill 79.
Sincerely,
Barry Bushue
President