Testimony for GMO labeling Wed., 12/6

[liskir]

This Wednesday in Hilo is a hearing to vote on GMO labeling legislature in Hawaii. Affirmative vote on all 4 islands is needed. It has already been voted in on Maui and Kauai. Now just Big Island and Oahu must approve it. This is a crucial opportunity to safeguard our health here and, honestly, all over the world. Labeling law in just one state sets a precedent for other states in the USA which influences policy worldwide. This is a moment to act locally to think globally.

You can email testimony and/or (and even better) testify in person. Showing up in person is crucial. Bringing scientific evidence is powerful; see item 5 below for information.

1) To testify in person go to: Council Chambers at the County Building in Hilo, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1401 AT 10am, (AGENDA ITEM IS “HSAC Communication 480”)

2) To testify in writing, please send your testimony to:
counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
cc:
cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us,dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us,dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us, jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us,donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us, fblas@co.hawaii.hi.us,bsmart@co.hawaii.hi.us,bford@co.hawaii.hi.us,apilago@co.hawaii.hi.us,phoffman@co.hawaii.hi.us

Please email testimony by Dec. 6, 12pm. We are asking for testimony from ALL islands. Testimony outside the state of Hawai'i is welcome!

3) PLEASE ALSO CC YOUR BIG ISLAND TESTIMONY TO THE FOLLOWING:
vchung@honolulu.gov
and:
mayor@honolulu,tberg@honolulu.gov,emartin@honolulu.gov,ianderson@honolulu.gov,ccldistrict4@honolulu.gov,akobayashi@honolulu.gov,tgabbard@honolulu.gov,rcachola@honolulu.gov,bharimoto@honolulu.gov,ngarcia@honolulu.gov

4) PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR TESTIMONY WHY YOU WANT GMO FOODS TO BE LABELED. YOU CAN ALSO MENTION THE GENERAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GMO:

5) HERE IS AN EDUCATIONAL LIST FOR TESTIMONY TALKING POINTS (highly useful for your oral/written testimony and well resourced!):

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_i...2078934231

6) LASTLY, PLEASE JOIN GMO FREE BIG ISLAND GROUP: http://www.facebook.com/groups/172360349527483/

[PaulW]

"YOU CAN ALSO MENTION THE GENERAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GMO"

Again with the all-caps. So, what are the negative effects? How many people have died?

[Shekelpal]

What I sent to the County Council el al:
It is extremely important that people know what they are eating. Years ago, when canned and frozen foods began to be mass marketed, product labeling was eventually mandated so that people knew what they were purchasing. It used to be that going to a farmer's market or a corner market was a trusted way of buying vegetables. Then, pesticides and herbicides entered the picture and now after knowing more and more about the harmful effects of ingesting produce grown this way, people are trending towards organic produce. Organic foods, labeled ORGANIC, are the products of some of the fastest growing businesses and farms in the country. Wonder why? Why should GMO produce or products be any different in terms of labeling? They should be marked GMO. Why do the manufactures of GMO products not want their wares to be touted? According to them, they should be proud to do so, but they actually resist labeling. Ask yourself, why is this? Please refer to the many, I am sure, biological and informational letters you are getting in regards to the scientific aspects of this issue. The labeling of GMO foods is just common sense.
Sherry Palmer

[PaulW]

"Bringing scientific evidence is powerful"

Oh yes, please do that.

[dmbwest]

Thanks Paul.

aloha,
pog