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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.164 2012-2014 ** � Hawaii ^`'�..,.,..Farmers Union M t.i U UNITED TO GROW Hawaii Farmers Union United FAMILY AGRICLWIURE Big Island•Maul-Molokai•Oahu•Kauai H October 15, 2013A ,F Hawaii Farmers Union United x , 1768 Kalawi PI. ,{ o , Wailuku Maui HI 96793 F a. IN SUPPORT OF BILL 113 (DRAFT 2) -- RELATING TO GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS AND PLANTS H Vincent Mina Aloha Chairman Yoshimoto and Council Members, President Maui We are writing on behalf of the Hawaii Farmers Union United ("HFUU") in support of its Kona Chapter and Bill 113 (Draft 2). HFUU is a state chapter of the National Framers Union, the oldest organization of small-scale farm owners in the United States. We have written previously in support of earlier versions of this legislation to control the propagation of GMO crops in Hawaii Simon Russell County. Vice-President Maui Our primary concern is the family and hundreds of other small-scale farms that are the heart and soul of Hawaii County's farming economy. Whatever the science behind GMO crops, it is uncontested, as Oregon wheat farmers learned earlier this year, that if GMO pollen contaminates non-GMO crops those crops can become unmarketable in Japan, Korea and the European David Case Union. If contaminated by GMO pollen organic crops also lose their organic certification and the Secretary markets on which organic farmers and those who process and sell their products depend. Kona Many members of the National Farmers Union raise GMO crops, and neither the National Farmers Union, HFUU, nor its Kona Chapter oppose GMO lab research. We do, however, support the right of all forms of agriculture to coexist, but that is not possible without effective Ray Maki controls on the production of GMO crops. Non-GMO farmers need to protect themselves against Treasurer risks that GMO crops pose to them. There is another unique risk associated with GMO crops. Kauai Non-GMO farmers can be sued for patent infringement if GMO pollen contaminates their corps. No other crop in the world carries this risk. Pending HFUU's supports Bill 113 for the same reasons as its Kona Chapter. Bill 113 strikes the right Member balance that protects the right of Hawaii County's hundreds of small-scale farmers to make a Oahu living free from serious economic risks while taking a precautionary approach to the unrestricted propagation of GMO crops. In 2008 Hawaii County passed an outright ban on GMO cropping of taro and coffee. As with coffee and taro, we feel Hawaii County would be best served to act now to protect the economies of all of its local crops. Among other benefits doing so will also circulate the majority of the money generated by those crops within the local community. Mahalo HAWAII FARMERS UNIION UNITED HAWAII FARMERS UNION UNITED Viitce, t D /Cane Vincent Mina, President David Case, Secretary Comm. No. 3 3. /6 e Ref. To: Ref. Date The Hawaii Farmers Union is a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of Hawaii,doing business as Hawaii Farmers Union United. The Hawaii Farmers Union United and its Chapters advocate for the sovereign right of farmers to create and sustain vibrant and prosperous agricultural communities for the benefit of all Hawaii through cooperation,education and legislation.