HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP EDC 041 08/17/1988 1984-1988 ® REPORT OF THE •
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: August 17, 1988
PLACE : Councilroom
TIME: 1 : 30 p.m.
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Economic Development , to which was referred
Resolution No. 479-88, regarding support for the development of a
prototype commodities treatment unit utilizing the dry heat process and
capable of treating a variety of agriculture host commodites, reports
as follows :
The purpose of Resolution 479-88 is to commend the technicians at
USDA' s Agricultural Research Service for discovering the dry heat
technology which holds promise to have application to disinfestate
fruit flies from all agriculture host commodities in Hawaii and urges
the development of a generic commodities treatment unit which will
serve as an economic stimulus to Hawaii ' s agricultural production.
Your Committee on Economic Development heard testimony from medical
doctors , community groups and individuals expressing their concerns
relative to the acceptability of constructing a food irradiator
facility on the Big Island . A total of 11 testimonies were heard by
the Committee, all of which spoke against continuing to proceed with
the food irradiator .
A synopsis of concerns expressed were:
1 . Why proceed with the development of a food
commodities irradiation facility with inherent
unsafe aspects to residents when alternate heat ,
such as the vapor heat and dry heat processes ,
exist to disinfestate commodities under safer
conditions .
2 . State funds have been earmarked for the development
of prototype dry heat treatment units, yet plans
continue for implementing the controversial food
commodites irradiator .
3 . The preponderance of data received from consumers
indicates that a majority are opposed to eating
irradiated foods .
4 . Previous presentations made to this Committee on
food irradiation by DBED sponsored proponents were
incomplete as certain aspects were not delivered in
proper context .
EDC REPORT No , 41
ADOPTED: SEP
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EDC-41 Page 2 August 17 , 1988
5. The USDA has the capability to eliminate the fruit
fly, given the necessary funds, and this would
appear to be the more appropriate solution.
6 . Long term health consequences of irradiated food is
unknown and with non-toxic alternatives available,
there is no reason ho rush into this process .
Your Committee on Economic Development concurs with Resolution
No . 479-88 and recommends its ad. ,' ion.
.
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LORRAI 'HAKU-INO•YE HAIR SSELL S. OKUBU VICE C AIR
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(ABSENT)
FRANK DE LUZ , III, MEMBER MERL K. LAI, ME _'
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