HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0394.009 2012-2014 Margaret Wille v o� Phone No. Hilo: (808)961-8027
Council Member :o°. �� +.,",. Phone No. Waimea: (808)887-2043
Fax No.: (808)887-2072
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District 9-North and South Kohala • • �`��-
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;••s E-Mail: mwille a co.hawaii.hi.us
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HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai
flu ui'i('aunty Building Holonnuu Center O'est Hawaii Civic Center Bldg. .-1
25.--lupuni Street 64-1067 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite C-5 74-5044 'inc Keohokalole Hwy.
I/ilo, Ilatirai'i 96720 6Y'aimea. Hawaii 96743 Kailua-Kona, Hawui'i.96740
0: J Yoshimoto, Chair °
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and Members of the Hawaii County Co it z„ 2
FROM: Margaret Wille, Council Member I
DATE: September 19, 2013
SUBJECT: Additional Information Regarding Communication 394
The scope of the Ad Hoc Committee Relating to Genetically Engineered Crops and Plants is to
address impacts related to the cultivation, propagation, or development of genetically engineered
crops and plants, including but not limited to:
(1) Whether"co-existence" of open air cultivation, propagation, or development of any non-
genetically engineered and genetically engineered crops and plants is possible and desirable on
1lawai'i Island, and if so, with respect to which crops and plants and under what conditions;
(2) Whether there are particular risks related to pesticides and herbicides that are commonly
used for genetically engineered crops and plants;
(3) Whether the County should promote and emphasize indigenous and ecologically friendly
methods of farming on the island of Hawaii;
(4) Whether the County should promote the advancement of non-GE solutions to crop and plant
diseases including development of stronger disease resistant plants in an organic (non GE)
method;
(5) Whether to establish a Hawaii Island heritage seed bank and how to accomplish it;
(6) Whether to establish additional institutions, facilities and processes to systematically
research diverse agricultural best practices particular for Hawaii County, inclusive of research
related to genetic engineered organisms:
(7) Whether to exempt genetically engineered plants that are not for human consumption from a
prohibition on genetically engineered organisms, taking into account any potential adverse impact
on the soil, water, beneficial insects, and vulnerable ecosystems; Q
Comm. o. 39 •
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Ref.To ' Alf Y
Hawai`i County Is An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer Ref. Date • 1
September 20, 2013
Page 2 of 2
(8) Other than an exemption for papaya, whether any existing grandfather provision for
genetically engineered crops and plants, particularly for crops and plants involving bee and wind
pollination, should be discontinued or further restricted based on potential adverse impacts on
non-genetically engineered crops and neighboring properties;
(9) Whether there are particular potential water pollution or flooding concerns relating to the
cultivation of genetically engineered crops plants, and associated pesticides (including
insecticides) given the topography and geology of Hawaii Island;
(10) Whether there are valid safety and nutritional concerns regarding existing types of
genetically engineered papaya, as well as of any new types of genetically engineered papaya that
are currently being tested or proposed:
(11) Whether and under what conditions a genetically engineered solution to a plant disease that
poses an imminent risk to an entire crop industry should be exempt, fully or to some extent, from
any prohibition of genetically engineered organisms;
(12) Whether there are reasonable and pro-active ways to encourage, allow, and/or promote "co-
existence" of traditional/conventional, scientific, bio-technological methods of cultivation,
propagation and development of stronger disease resistant plants and animals with "organic"
methods;
(13) Whether the ability to patent genetically engineered crops and plants, and the long reach of
patent liability laws, is a significant concern in matters relating to the prohibition and restriction
of the cultivation of genetically engineered crops and plants on Hawaii Island;
(14) Whether farming that involves genetically engineered crops or plants should be considered a
generally accepted management practice on Hawai`i Island, or alternatively continued to be a
special exception to what is considered to be a generally accepted agricultural practice; and,
(15) Whether there are additional reasonable ways to investigate and enforce County of Hawai'i
ordinances restricting the cultivation, propagation, or development of genetically engineered
crops and plants, including whether both civil and penal enforcement is appropriate.
The Ad-Hoc Committee shall report its findings back to the Agriculture, Water, Energy and
Sustainability Council Committee its recommendations no later than one year from the date the
Ad-Hoc Committee is formed. It is recommended that in making its report the Ad Hoc
Committee shall address economic, environmental, community health, as well as cultural
considerations.
If there are any questions please call me or my staff at (808) 887-2043.
M W'dh