HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.102 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
COAU TY C R 11
From: Nate McBride [nate @whitesidesdairy.com]
rnit
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 9:26 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us 2013 SEP 3 P 12: fl9
Subject: Gmo
Testimony Against Hawaii County Anti-Farming Bills 109 and
113
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.
Hawaii'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. How will Hawaii County farmers and ranchers compete when everyone
but us has access to GE technology?
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
Name: Nate McBride
Occupation: Agronomist
City where 1 live: Rupert, ID
Additional Comments By using GMO crops. the amount of chemical used is less. If conventional corn
is used. in order to get weed control, you have to use more chemicals that are persistant in the soil, vs
roundup that is neutralized immediately when it touches any sort of dust or dirt. GMO is safer for
Hawaii.
Nate McBride
Whitesides Dairy
Big Island Dairy
208-431-1530
Comm. No. 3g5. /4002
Ref.To: 0%°'S/1 le-
Ref.
Date SEP 0 4 2013
9/3/2013