Judge Greg Nakamura granted a preliminary injunction today preventing Hawaii County from disclosing the identity and specific location of farms growing genetically engineered papaya.
Judge Greg Nakamura granted a preliminary injunction today preventing Hawaii County from disclosing the identity and specific location of farms growing genetically engineered papaya.
The ruling in Hilo Circuit Court allows the county to maintain a registry of genetically modified organisms, but prevents information that could identify papaya growers from being released publicly.
Two growers of genetically modified papaya, Ross Sibucao and an unnamed plaintiff, challenged the registry requirement, arguing it would expose them to vandalism or other forms of economic harm.
The injunction says the county can continue with the registry after 30 days.
The registry is part of a law the county adopted in December banning the open-air use and testing of genetically modified crops. Papaya farmers, who largely grow varieties modified to be resistant to the ringspot virus, and others already growing modified crops are exempted from the open-air ban.
A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu is challenging the restrictions on modified crops.