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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.126 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1 Murashige, Laura From: Jason Moniz [jasonmoniz73 @gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2013 11:18 AM To: counciltestimony©co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Testimony Against Bills 109 and 113 Attachments: TESTIMONY.docx Please provide my attached testimony against Bills 109 and 113 to Council members for the hearing scheduled for September 4, 2013. L, �C) CD v t -1 w -< -o — rri ==� 1,4 op — Comm. No. 3$5, 112 6 Ref. To: p/p3 M rG Ref. Date SEP 0 4 2013 9/3/2013 TESTIMONY AGAINST BILL 109 AND 113 Jason Moniz, president of the Hamakua Farm Bureau and I' m opposed to Bill 109 and Bill 113 . Four months have gone by and these Bills continue to contain unsubstantiated claims and draconian measures . Bill 113 continues to references the need to wait on definitive science while there are reams of scientific papers and the multiple scientific bodies worldwide that have determined genetically modified crops to be safe for health and the environment . These Bills, particularly 113 blatantly discriminate against established agriculture producers on Hawaii Island. These bills passed as such will be challenged by me and many others . We have all spent a lot of time on this issue . Farmers and ranchers have spent way too many long days, nights and dollars defending our right to farm. The public is growing tired and want to see their Council move on to the many other import issues facing our County. Yet with all that being said, there' s a silver lining and I have to actually thank you all for putting such a spot light on agriculture and on providing what has turned into an exceptional educational opportunity to learn about the facts associated with the genetic engineering of crops . These bills despite four months to work remain overreaching and flawed. Obviously Council members continue to have concerns or we would not still be here having these hearings . I again recommend these Bills be withdrawn and you form a task force or some other body set up by the Council to determine what the concerns are on all sides of the issue, including yours and have that body find acceptable solutions that don' t impact farmer' s right to farm. We should all take a pause, heal, start over and move forward in a positive direction. Thank you.