More on GMO's

[Russell]

Rob- no current Big Island crops are affected by Bill 113. It exempts papaya and corn - that's all the GMO that is grown here now. They need to register as growing GMO, and pay a $100 registration fee. It does not apply to flowers.

Russell

[wax]

Important to recognize that if Bill 113 had existed in 1990 there would be no papaya industry today and there would be no dairies in the State. That would make us more economically and food dependent on others - significantly so. It is important that we recognize the probable affect on crops going forward. Should we preempt possible solutions where there are no other solutions, or simply write them off because we do not need them today. The rejoinder that the Council could give an emergency exemption does not help - it takes ten years to develop a solution - such research stops effectively with this bill. (Fortunately there was some work going on in Papayas in advance).

[Rob Tucker]

So this Bill 113, and all the fuss, has done nothing except sometime in the near future the county will have $200 in income? Absolutely astounding how incompetent our council is and the stupidity of our NIMBY citizens never fails to amaze me.

Bill 113 reminds me of an old law in a small town in Connecticut that says it is illegal to shoot buffalo from a train.... no train in that town, no buffalo either.

[peteadams]

"So this Bill 113, and all the fuss, has done nothing except sometime in the near future the county will have $200 in income?"

No. As wax indicated, Bill 113 precludes possible future solutions to agricultural issues on the Big Island (as GM papaya has accomplished in the past) and potentially criminalizes farmers.

[rainyjim]

doesn't kenoi still have yet to sign it?

[kalakoa]

Monsanto has yet to unleash the lawyers.

[rainyjim]

Kalakoa, think they already got a federal permit (from the EPA) that includes Hawaii, among other states, in their new genetically engineered testing grounds - this would void Bill 113 I believe.

[Rob Tucker]

I don't expect Bill 113 to survive in any meaningful way. It will likely become another monument to wasted time and energy like Emily Naeole's Anti Vaccination Resolution.

[kalakoa]

Monsanto's lawyers still have to earn their keep by "explaining" that County has no jurisdiction. County's lawyers will burn some more tax revenue on this one -- no problem, Kenoi can always sign up for more debt on our behalf.

What we need is an amendment to the Charter: new bills must pass "feasibility test" before Council wastes time/money debating.

How many things didn't get done while everyone argued GMO legislation? (Other than rezoning the Pahoa shopping center, granting an SUP for the non-PCDP-compliant clinic, and raising the tobacco age to 21.)

(Not to hijack the thread, but I believe that clinic got the first SUP in Puna since the PCDP was passed five years ago. Hooray for "planned progress".)

[Opihikaobob]

http://curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=2131350#i
Obama has appointed monsanto chief lobbyist as senior adviser to the fda