Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0385.157 2012-2014 BEACH ROAD FARM GOVERNMENT BEACH ROAD COUNTY CLERK a no ccp -4 PM {: 32 TO THE HAWAI 'I COUNTY COUNCIL - IN REGARDS TO BILLS 109 & 113 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE RELATING TO GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS AND PLANTS. Good morning council members my name is geoff ranch and i am speaking for myself and my partner lyn howe. We own beach road farm,support bill 109 and are totally opposed to the "current-monsanto style"genetic agricultural model. WE BELIEVE THIS SYSTEM IS BASED ON; 1. Bio-piracy or theft of the plant commons. 2. The unconscionable patenting of life forms. 3. The appalling and intentional design of our food plants to be sprayed directly with herbicide (so now we even get to eat round-up). 4. The monopolistic buy-out of seed sources and resulting lack of diversity and choice (non- genetic corn and soy are not even available in parts of the mainland). 5. The arrogance and secrecy of the "big players"as in "none of your business."(have you followed Gary Hoosier's frustration on Kaua'i trying to expose the heavy chemical use on the GMO lands and how about that genetic corn on our island that has now shown up in Honamu and Peepakeo without notice?) 6. The outright lies about volume increases and toxics reduction beyond the short term. 7. Super-weeds and super-bugs leading to the introduction of yet more toxics as this system fails. (2- 4-D, DICAMBRA, FUNGICIDES, ETC.ALL THE CHEMICALS TECHNOLOGY WAS SUPPOSED TO REPLACE.) 8. And finally,the industrial food paradigm, where volume is king and stewardship is at the "end of the pack". This entire industry is unnecessary and is only aimed at controlling the food supply. It makes a mockery of our desire for self-sufficiency and sustainability because It leads right back to dependency-THEIR SEEDS,THEIR CHEMICALS,THEIR CHOICE OF INVENTORY,AND THEIR EXPLICIT CONTRACTS AND INTIMIDATING LAWSUITS. This newest model of industrial agriculture is a nest of snakes and deserves no exceptions. Mahalo Comm. No. 36S• 157 Ref.To: P!1S AI 7-C Ref. Date SEP 0.6 2013