HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.779 2018-2020 eQ
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Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, inch
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Hawaii Cattlemen's Testimony
Hawaii County Council Bill 101
Chair and members of the Hawaii County Council,
My name is Keith K. Unger and I am the President of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council. The
Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc. (HCC) is the Statewide umbrella organization comprised of the
four county level Cattlemen's Associations. Our 150+member ranchers represent over 60,000
head of beef cows; more than 75% of all the beef cows in the State. Ranchers are the stewards of
approximately 25% of the State's total land mass.
The Hawaii Cattlemen's Council strongly supports Mayor Kim's veto of 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 in Hawaii finds 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.
Keith K. Unger
President
Hawaii Cattlemen's Council
Comm. N .
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P.O. Box 456 • Kamuela, HI 96743 • Phone (808)333-6755 ® www.hicattle.org • office@hicattle.org