HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.010 2012-2014 COUriTY CL X11
4 September 2013
From: Martha L. Crouch, Ph.D. Biology
2Q13 SEP -4 A 57
824 W 8th St, Bloomington, Indiana 47404
marticrouch@sbcglobal.net
To: Hawai'i County Council
Re:Testimony on Bill No. 113:An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14 Of The Hawai'i County
Code 1983 (2005 Edition,As Amended), By Adding A New Article Relating To Genetically
Engineered Crops And Plants.
1. I am testifying as an expert on impacts of genetically engineered (GE) crops. I was a
graduate student at Yale University studying the development of seeds and flowers when
genes were first cloned in the 1970s. By the time I headed my own lab using GE techniques
at Indiana University in the 1980s,plant genes were being patented. I became
concerned about adverse impacts of GE in agriculture as I watched the biotechnology
industry grow,so shut down my research lab in the 1990s and taught courses on the
intersections of technology, food and agriculture. Now I consult on issues of biotechnology
and agriculture for citizens'groups and law firms. I am familiar with many aspects of
agriculture in Hawai'i County and on other Hawaiian islands,having visited and studied for
extended periods since 1983.
3. Hawai'i County has a unique opportunity to remain free of most GE crops and plants by
passing this bill prohibiting their open-air cultivation. This would allow farmers in Hawai'i
County to produce crops,including seed crops,without fear of transgenic contamination.
GE-free food, feed and seeds are in high demand, resulting in economic benefits that would
promote a diverse and sustainable agricultural economy on the island. Prohibition would
also protect the environment and people of the island from potential harms such as
increased pesticide use,weeds or invasive plants that are more difficult to control,and
toxicity of GE plants to pollinators and other wild organisms.
4. Prohibition at the County level is required because the Federal and State governments do
not provide necessary regulation and oversight of GE field tests, approvals for
environmental release, or food safety to ensure environmental integrity and public health.
5. I am particularly concerned about new GE crops going through the Federal regulatory
system now that are resistant to toxic herbicides and will result in large increases in their
use.The first was approved by USDA recently-a soybean resistant to a restricted-use
herbicide that persists in water, is highly toxic to wild organisms,and is a probable human
carcinogen. In spite of these dangers,USDA approved this GE crop without doing a robust
assessment of health and environmental impacts of associated herbicide use.Also,some GE
crops and plants, including grasses for biofuels and corn for animal feed,are being
exempted from regulation by USDA because of technical loopholes,and thus will be allowed
to come to market with no Federal oversight at all.
6.Therefore, now is the time for the County of Hawai'i to take action and prohibit GE crops
and plants,while few current GE crops are planted here and before new GE crops and plants
with unknown impacts have a chance to be introduced.
Comm. No V'c. I O
Ref. To: �-
Ref. Date. SEP 04 209