HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.074 2012-2014 COQ cum
COUNTY OF HAWA,to or
Time RECEIVED I! 7
Hawaii
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Farmers '
Union N F U LP
UNITED TO GROW Hawaii Farmers Union United
FAMILY AGRICULTURE Fog island•Maui•Molokai.Oahu•kauai
KONA CHAPTER
HAWAII FARMERS UNION UNITED
P.O.Box 5436
Kailua-Kona HI 96745-5436
The Honorable J. Yoshimoto, Chair OCTOBER 15,2013
Hawaii County Council
IN SUPPORT OF BILL 113 (DRAFT 2) — RELATING TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
David Case Aloha Chairman Yoshimoto and Council Members,
President
We are writing on behalf of the members of the Kona Chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union United
("HFUU"). 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
Steve Sakala this legislation to control the propagation of GMO crops in Hawaii County.
Vice-President
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 that if GMO crops contaminate non-GMO crops those crops become unmarketable in
Japan, Korea and the European Union as was Oregon wheat farmers learned earlier this year. If
Diane Heinlein contaminated by GMO pollen organic crops loose their organic certification and the markets on
Secretary which organic farmers and those who process and sell their products depend for their livelihood.
Many members of the National Farmers Union raise GMO crops, and neither the National Farmers
Union, HFUU, nor its Kona Chapter oppose GMO research per se. We do, however, support the
Kurt chweickhard right of all forms of agriculture to coexist, but that is not possible without effective controls on the
Treasurer production of GMO crops. It's a little like having an unruly neighbor who, when you are not home,
comes over and gives your kids beer. Non-GMO farmers should be able to protect themselves
against similar risks. There are other unique risks associated with GMO crops. Non-GMO farmers
can be sued for patent infringement if GOM pollen contaminates their corps. No other crop in the
Hazel Beck world carries this risk.
Member
HFUU's Kona Chapter supports Bill 113 because it strikes the right balance that protects the right of
Hawaii County's hundreds of small-scale farmers to make a living while taking a precautionary
approach to the unrestricted propagaiton of GMO crops. In 2008 Hawaii County passed an outright
John Giblin,Jr. ban on GMO cropping of taro and coffee. As with coffee and taro, Hawaii County should act now to
Member protect the economies of all of its crops.
Mahalo
HFUU KONA CHAPTER HFUU KONA CHAPTER
DQ,vl./Cas& Stev&SGZ%{[G[.Lr/
Franz Weber
Member David Case, President Steve Sakala, Vice President
Comm. No. 393. 74
Ref.To: f/Co4hci 7
Ref. Date OC 115 1013
The Hawaii Farmers Union advocates 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.