Another anti-GMO bill – will it succeed?
The fight continues to keep GMO coffee and kalo out of Hawaii. The latest bill was put forth by the Hawaii County Council’s Environmental Management Committee, submitted by Vice Chairman Angel Pilago, who represents North Kona. This particular bill calls for criminal prosecution against anyone who brings or possesses or grows GMO taro and coffee on the Island – specifically the county of Hawaii.
They have, however, been having a problem getting these bills thru the Legislature. A previous similar bill was overwhelmingly supported by the Hawaii County Council and still failed in the Legislature. Let’s hope this one sees better success.
GMO’s have severely harmed Hawaii’s export market. Japan and other nations no longer buy as much papaya from Hawaii because of the GMO issue, so the so-called “improvement” of the crop has basically killed it. The same could easily happen with coffee and kalo if GMO becomes wide-spread and pollutes the agriculture there. This is not an issue that just affects Hawaii either – however it is best illustrated by Hawaii.
Stories:
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/09/12/news/story08.html
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2008/09/10/local/local01.txt
Text of Bill:
http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/weblink/DocView.aspx?id=50038
MikeV