GMO, Pesticide bill was severely flawed and should have been vetoed

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Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho

By Alicia Maluafiti – We commend Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho for his decision to veto Bill 2491 (relating to pesticide use and GMOs) and for recognizing that the measure was severely flawed and would do more harm than good for Kauai County.

We thank the Mayor for his leadership in giving thoughtful consideration to balancing the issues raised in Bill 2491. This measure, although intended to be good for the community, would have had long-term negative effects on all agriculture in Kauai and our state, not just the seed industry or big agriculture.

These past several months have been difficult for Kauai. Bill 2491 has divided us – families, friends and neighbors – for far too long. It is time that we come together and do what the people of Hawaii have done for so long – ho’oponono, work together for a better Kauai.

Since this measure was introduced, the public debate has been loud, emotional and often filled with fear, rather than fact. As responsible stewards of the land, we take pride in growing the seeds that help farmers all over the world grow safe, healthy and affordable food for all people. We care for the land and the people of Kauai and are committed to transparency, being good neighbors and working with the community.

We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Mayor and the Council on how to address the concerns of the community and continue to support a voluntary program to address these concerns.

 

Alicia Maluafiti is the Executive Director of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association

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5 COMMENTS

  1. Despite the headline, the article fails to identify any flaw(s) in the bill. I'm curious as to what severe flaw the author might have been referring to. It should be noted that similar bills have withstood legal challenges elsewhere. See URL: https://tinyurl.com/m3moygc ***

    • Commercial establishments, hotels, small farmers and even the state of hawaii uses pesticides. It's alright for them to do so next to schools or houses? That's one flaw in the bill, it clearly targets corporations, although it's not only them that use pesticides. Oh and what about pest control companies? They use more toxic chemicals when they tent houses that they fumigate. We had to get all our food out and stay out of the house for two days!

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