By TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Hawaii County Council members will have another month to digest a bill that would restrict the use of genetically modified crops on the Big Island.
Before an overflow crowd, the council members during a meeting of the Public Safety and Mass Transit Committee on Wednesday deferred the issue until July 2 after Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille introduced a substituted version.
Council members said they wanted to allow for another round of public testimony due to the revisions and more time to consider the legislation.
Wille said she was fine with the delay.
“I agree with the sentiment,” she said. “I’m trying to be responsive and I definitely would like the feedback.”
The committee had previously taken up the bill May 14 during a meeting at which more than 100 people testified.
No action was taken then, and the council members selected the Wednesday meeting for discussion and a possible committee vote.
Anticipating action, farmers and opponents of genetically modified organisms, many wearing green, jammed the council chambers in Hilo for the meeting.
But it didn’t appear that many left disappointed.
Blake Watson of Volcano, a supporter of the bill, said he was fine
with the wait and amendments that he thinks will help the legislation gain broader support.
“I think this is amiable and very beneficial to all farmers,” he said.
Wille’s second draft would allow farmers who are currently growing transgenic crops, such as Rainbow papaya, to continue their operations if they create a 750-foot buffer zone between them and neighbors or water sources. Signs would also have to be posted referring to the farm as a GMO area.
In its original form, the bill would have required the farmers to use U.S. Department of Agriculture Level-3 biosafety procedures typically applied for controlling pathogens.
Papaya grower Josie Colobong said she is happy to see the exemption in the bill.
“I think it’s good for us,” she said.
When told about the buffer zone requirement, Colobong said she still had concerns.
“It’s not so good then,” she added.
The bill would allow buffer zones to be reduced with the “submission of sufficient evidence” that there is no risk of pollination of non-GMO plants.
Growers of exempted GMO crops would have to register with the county. The registration would cost $100 a year.
Other changes include exemptions for transgenic floral crops.
The new bill also moves enforcement authority from the Department of Environmental Management to the Department of Research and Development.
Wille said she has less concerns with horticulture industry using genetic engineering since the products are not consumed.
She said she removed references to the biosafety procedures because they are more complex than what she thinks is needed.
Puna Councilman Greggor Ilagan provided the first criticism of the bill from behind the dais.
Ilagan, whose district includes papaya growing areas, said the bill puts a target on farmers and makes it appear they are doing something wrong even if they have an exemption.
“It’s kind of like a scarlet letter, that A for adultery,” he said. “We are putting that G for GMO on your backs.”
Wille said she plans to request funding for a position in Research and Development to oversee GMO compliance if her bill is approved.
Farmers who violate the bill would be fined $1,000 and be required to cover the cost of enforcement.
A proposal to put a limit on geothermal relocation requests was pulled Wednesday.
Ilagan, who introduced it, said he needs to discuss the issue further with his constituents.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
