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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0393.329 2012-2014 COUNTY CLERK COUNTY OF HAWAI'Z Hawaii /Ad rime IVES �.. Farmers '`-"� to CC Union H F U U ' UWrIED TO t;Rpw Hawaii Farmers Union United FAMILY AC;RICUL.URF Big Island•Maul•MOtokai•Oahu•Nauai November 5, 2013 Hawaii Farmers Union United HFUU Kona Chapter 1768 Kalawi PI. 78-6980 Kaluna St, #102 Wailuku Maui HI 96793 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 IN SUPPORT OF BILL 113 (DRAFT 3) — RELATING TO GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS AND PLANTS Vincent Mina Aloha Chairman Yoshimoto and Council Members: President Maui We are writing on behalf of the Hawaii Farmers Union United ("HFUU") and its Kona Chapter in support of Bill 113 (Draft 3) now pending second reading before the Hawaii County Council. We have written previously in support of earlier versions of this legislation to put rational controls on the propagation of GMO crops in Hawaii County. Simon Russell Vice-President Our primary concern is the family and hundreds of other small-scale farms that are the heart and Maui soul of Hawaii County's farming economy. Whatever the science behind GMO crops, it is uncontested that if GMO pollen contaminates non-GMO crops those crops can become unmarketable in Japan, Korea and the European Union and elsewhere. If contaminated by GMO pollen organic crops also lose their organic certification and the state, national and international David Case markets on which organic farmers and those who process and sell their products depend. Secretary Kona Opponents of Bill 113 acknowledge that cross pollenization with GMO crops is an issue, but contend that it is no different than cross pollenization that can occur with non-GMO crops. This either misses or obfuscates the point. Cross pollenization may occur with any similar crop, but only GMO cross pollenization threatens the marketability of other crops. No other crop in the Ray Maki world carries this risk. Perhaps with additional time to research the issues this problem can be Treasurer mitigated or resolved. If Bill 113 is not enacted, however, it is likely there will be a rush to Kauai produce more GMO crops in Hawaii County, which will eliminate the possibility of any rational solution to GMO cross pollenization contamination. Pending Bill 113 strikes the right balance that protects the right of Hawaii County's hundreds of small- Member scale farmers to make a living free from serious economic risks while taking a precautionary Oahu approach to the unrestricted propagation of GMO crops. In 2008 Hawaii County passed an outright ban on GMO cropping of taro and coffee, which this Bill does not alter. As with coffee and taro, Hawaii County would be best served to act now to protect the economies of all of its local crops. Mahalo HAWAII FARMERS UNIION UNITED HFUU KONA CHAPTER 7/iiteo /[/liitit ..73w,Pi /as& Vincent Mina, President David Case, President Comm. No. 353. 3°?9 Ref. To: P/Ca c/nci/ Ref. Date NOV 5 2013 e 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.