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Mayor Kenoi's Comments on Signing Anti-GMO law
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03-06-2014, 05:05 AM
The anti-GMO bill directly attacks the livelihoods of farmers producing an established product that poses no health hazard. What would a reasonable person expect besides lawsuits? Apparently reducing the hysteria on the anti-GMO side was a higher priority to the Mayor (by his own words) than the county spending the legal costs of defending the ridiculous law.
03-06-2014, 08:50 AM
Current coconut wireless chatter has it that the county is not going to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
03-07-2014, 02:19 AM
From Hawaii Business News Article (*Snipped - More at link):
http://www.hawaiibusiness.com/Hawaii-Bus...-Counties/ Hawaii’s Kenoi: GMO has been very important and beneficial to our cut-flower, orchid, anthurium and nursery industry. The science research has been cutting-edge and we’ve seen a lot of innovation and creativity, and certainly in our papaya industry, the importance of research is well-known for maintaining, growing and protecting its viability. I still don’t believe GMO is the issue facing agriculture – it’s water and access to land and how we can grow our next generation of farmers. GMO has taken a lot of energy and emphasis away from more important issues like these. Another important issue is access to markets, making it easier for farmers to overcome regulatory hurdles, reducing our dependence on imported food and providing real food security. My message to the Council and the community is: “Let’s look at where our farmers are farming and how we can support them.” The bill (Hawaii County Bill 113) talks about registering those doing GMO, but in the next year we want everyone to register with the idea of, “Hey, let’s take a deep breath and talk about facts, data and accurate statistics. Who is doing exactly what and where,” and then we can provide necessary support. Everybody is grandfathered in. Whatever they farm, they can continue to farm. Is there any farm that will close or lay off workers? The answer is no. We don’t have the big multinational corporations. None of them are here. So instead of getting into hypothetical arguments about large agri-business, let’s focus on our community-based businesses and our businesses on-island. I want to protect them and not be involved in a debate. The GMO issue is very divisive and has been pitting farmer against farmer and dividing our community. Let’s put aside what we disagree about and work together on what we agree about.
03-07-2014, 02:53 AM
Billy is out of touch. Let's break this down: we are the County and are here to help you. Ok don't want or need their help.
03-07-2014, 03:53 AM
The USDA already collects all that information about who is growing what and how much.
03-07-2014, 09:57 AM
Concerning the registration process, the judge issued a temporary restraining order to the County - to not collect the data. Here we find the County (run by the mayor) fighting the farmers. And losing round 1. It is notable that the legislation provides no reason for collecting the data. So the County can show no impact from not collecting the information. The farmers can point to statements made and the possibility that trees cut down were because of anti- GMO activities. Thus the farmers have a greater possibility of loss (vs. none shown by the legislation) if no tro was issued. (One would think that the lawyer - apparently Ms. Willie would have thought of that when writing bill#113.)
03-07-2014, 10:47 AM
Stop mistaking the appearance of process for meaningful work. GMO legislation is a pointless waste of time and effort because Big Ag can unleash a horde of lawyers and lobbyists to squash any silly rules passed by our little backwater. Politicians know this, so they put on a great show in hopes of re-election.
People who are really serious about avoiding GMO will find ways to accomplish this goal regardless of what laws are passed. Our limited resources would better be spent dealing with actual problems that affect everyone's daily lives. Months to get a building permit? Decades to widen a highway? Still putting adults in jail for smoking marijuana? Failing to sanction an openly racist "representative"?
03-11-2014, 07:12 AM
quote:True words here, and if it wasn't our legislature it would be the feds. Still the anti - gmo efforts need to continue - somehow. |
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