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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.100 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura COUNTY CLERK • From: Rachel Laderman [rachel.laderman @gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 9:15 AM Za�3 SEP —3 PM a Q9 To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: testimony on Bill 109 I am writing to support Bill 109, which is in the Public Safety and Mass Transit Committee. I am very supportive of the Purpose of the Bill, and especially like: "(2) Maintain the Island of Hawaii as a heritage seed bank... in case reserves of such organisms are destroyed elsewhere." It is clear from the impact of extensive farming of GMOs on the other islands - the erosion, dust storms, reef death due to pesticide runoff, children exposed to pesticide spray - that GMO farming, with its built-in dependence on pesticides, is not in the best interest of the people or environment of Hawaii. I also understand that not allowing GMO feed to be used by animal farmers will have a rapid and serious impact on local farming - at first difficult but ultimately a very positive impact. I believe this is a good jolt of awareness about our island's dependence on imported GMO grains and lack of local supply that will force us to raise our own grains to feed animals here. People are not terribly long-sighted and I expect that there will be a ton of opposition to this bill because of the short-term disruption it will cause. That is why we need elected officials who can help us move towards the vision of island self-sufficiency! However, if this bill doesn't fly then I am in support of Margaret Willie's bill! Rachel Laderrnan PO Box 100036 Hakalau, HI 96710 Dan Kelly (same address) also has read this letter and agrees with it and is in support of this bill. Comm. No, 385'' /DD Ref. To: P/PJAf re- Ref. Dot":7E1M 2013 9/3/2013