HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.466 2018-2020 Hawaii Cattlemen's Testimony
1Q19 NOVI9 Ail In: 23
Hawaii County Council Bill 101
Chair and members of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Association
My name is Doug Beaton and I am the President of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Association. The
Hawaii Cattlemen's Association. (HCA) is the Hawaii county cattlemen's organization. Our 50+
member ranchers manage approximately 550,000 acres on Hawaii Island.
The Hawaii Cattlemen's Association strongly opposes Bill 101. We are concerned that passing
Bill 101 will set a precedent that will eventually lead to a ban on all herbicides in the state of
Hawaii.
In regard to herbicide and pesticide use, the ranching community on Hawaii Island find ourselves
aligned with all businesses and agencies that use these products.In all cases, we strive to
minimize the use of herbicides and pesticides but need to protect the right to use them.
In the ranching community, we go to great lengths to ensure that all products are used pursuant
to federal and state guidelines, are stored properly, and employees are trained on a regular basis
in regard to safety and mitigating any effect on neighboring properties.
Rather than a ban on all pesticides and herbicides by all county departments, we recommend that
each department generate a report on how they plan on minimizing their uses in the future.
Doug Beaton
President
Hawaii Cattlemen Association
Comm. No.
4o9•�ltrtr
Ref.To: p (Aunt
Ref. Date 019
NOV 2 0 2