HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.101 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura COUTY CLERK
t,ttrt r. 1-1 A\V
From: David M [dm967 @hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 9:17 AM 20t3 SEP -3 PM t2. 09
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: In Opposition to Bill 109
Hawaii County Council
Committee on Public Safety& Mass Transit Wednesday September 4,2013 1:30 p.m.
Testimony Opposing Bills 109
Committee Chair Ford and Members of the Committee:
I oppose Bills 109 and 113 because any anti-GMO legislation in Hawaii County will discriminate against our farmers and ranchers who
choose to use approved genetically engineered technology to grow safe and wholesome food and other agriculture products.These bills
also damage Hawaii's reputation for producing some of the best crops on the planet,harms our markets,and eventually destroy our
agriculture industry.
I am pro-farming and the right to farm in the United States of America, still a free country. under laws of and regulated by the USA and the
State of Hawaii.
I lawaii's farmers and ranchers may need virus resistant GMO crops to protect Hawaii from the next papaya virus strain,banana bunchy top
virus,tomato spotted wilt and other vegetable viruses,or the bacterial citrus greening disease that is destroying the Florida citrus industry
and may soon come to Hawaii. Furthermore.this bill will stop development of GMO ornamental and floral crops with enhanced
horticultural or disease resistant characteristics.These bills would prohibit livestock and aquaculture producers from efficiently growing
cost effective feed locally, requiring them to import at a higher price the exact same feeds.
I low will Hawaii County farmers and ranchers compete when everyone has access to superior biotechnology... except us?
the consensus of independent scientific organizations worldwide is unanimous and can be summed up by this statement from the
American Association for the Advancement of Science."The science is quite clear: crop improvement by the modern molecular techniques
of biotechnology is safe."
Please vote against Bill 109 and Bill 113
David Mattice,Volcano, HI
Comm. N 3 S5: !0/
No.
Ref.To: /,u4 2013
Ref. Date Str
9/3/2013