HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.025 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura COUNTY CL
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From: Chris Manfredi [omanfnadi@koutsrmandnanch.00n]
Sent: Tuesday, September O3. 2O131U:3GA&4 7013 SEP 3 ~,
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To: counci|tesdmony@xo.hawaiihiun
Subject: Testimony Bill 113
Attachments: KFB Bill 113 testimony 9_3_13.pdf
Aloha,
Please find testimony attached in opposition to Bill 113.
Thank you,
Christopher A. Manfredi
Ka'u Farm Bureau
PO Box 110Q
95-4968 Mamalahoa Highway
Na'a|ehu. Havvai'i96772
Phone: 808-929-9550
Fax: 808-929-9555
Cell: 516-526-5010
cmanfredikaufarmandranch.com
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Ref. To:
Ref. Date SEP 04 2013
9/3/70l3
Ka'u Farm Bureau
PO Box 1109
Naalehu Hawaii 96772
808-929-9550
September 3, 2013
Re: Bill 113 Relating to Genetically Modified Organisms
Aloha Chair Ford and members of the Committee on Public Safety and Mass Transit,
Ka'u Farm Bureau is member of Hawaii Farm Bureau, with a network of more than 1,900 members statewide. We
assist and advocate for agricultural producers as our community transitions from a plantation system to a more
resilient and diversified one.
As an organization of local farmers and ranchers, we believe in supporting all forms of agriculture. As modern
producers we understand that we need all available tools to grow resilient and sustainable industries in Hawaii.
Ka'u Farm Bureau has previously written to this committee concerning Bill 79, which has since been withdrawn to
be replaced by Bill 113. We asked that a working group be formed that includes all stakeholders, including
organic and conventional local farmers and ranchers, the scientific community, business leaders, State, County
and Federal policy makers and regulators and the Farm Bureau; the largest agricultural advocacy organization in
the state and the nation. We asked that this working group report its findings to the County Council annually for
every year of its existence, to examine evolving science as it emerges and to make recommendations on the
impacts of legislation concerning transgenic organisms.
There are numerous studies that indicate that transgenic crops are safe. These researchers include the American
Medical Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The National Academy of
Sciences, Food Standards of Australia and New Zealand, the French Academy of Science, The Royal Society of
Medicine, the European Commission, The Union of German Academics of Sciences and Humanities and the
Academies of Science of Brazil, China, India and Mexico. This legislation implies that there is a health risk, yet no
scientific information to that effect is cited.
In the absence of scientific data to the contrary, we are concerned that this legislation is in response to a
manufactured crisis that is dividing the agricultural community,thereby weakening it.
Ka'u Farm Bureau also has concerns about the registry contemplated by this legislation; how the information be
shared and used, and the purpose thereof. This information will be part of the public record may be used to
target the registrants for eco-and eviro-terrorist activity.
We respectfully request that you do not pass Bill 113. Rather, take the time to examine the issues in a deliberate
way with the benefit of peer reviewed studies that focus on purported health risks and benefits of transgenic
crops and all the impacts this legislation represents.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony on this important issue.
With Aloha,
Christopher Manfredi
President