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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.077 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: Aileen Yeh [akfwyeh @gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 6:07 AM To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Bills#109 GMO Ban, and #113 GMO Ban with exemption. I oppose the bills Dear Members of the County Council, I oppose bills #109 and #113 regarding farming of GMO crops. I have read the drafts of the new bills which are aimed at eliminating GMO from Hawaii Island. I am opposed to both of these bill, and am in line of thinking with the open letter to the Council from the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association. I especially feel that the requirement for registration and payment of fees is unfair to farmers and researchers. And even more so, the requirement for existing crops to shut down within 30 months of enactment of the bills or articles. This will result in unwarranted economic hardship to hardworking farmers. I am a horticulturist and rancher. I am also involved in the conservation of native plants and resources, as well as the research community. I have worked with rainbow papaya, and also farmed organically. I am personally shocked that the council would force farmers and ranchers to shut down existing operations, and in the same voice say that they are for sustainability and locally sourced crops and food. Not all GMO is bad. A blanket prohibition is not the appropriate way to obtain your goals, and will hurt many people, not just the farmers. I can be contacted at (808)936-2671. Aileen Yeh 942 W. Kawailani St. Hilo, HI 96720 akfwyeh(a�gmail.com or ayeh(a�hawaii.rr.com � --p - _r=-4 -< 1611 — Comm. No. 3"s, 71 Ref. To: P/PS H1 Ref. Dote SEP 04 LW) 9/3/2013