HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

220

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

requesting coordination by state and county regulatory agencies with respect to the management of genetically modified organisms (GMO) relating to health, agriculture, and the environment.

 

 

WHEREAS, biotechnological breakthroughs in genetically modified organisms (GMO), such as plants, are occurring faster than studies can be performed to confirm health, agricultural, and environmental safety; and

WHEREAS, the significant uncertainty regarding the long-term, possibly irreversible, effects of GMO crops demands the application of the "precautionary principle": All products are presumed to be potentially toxic until empirical data proves otherwise; and

WHEREAS, regulatory agencies do not require adequate safety data from the GMO industry prior to marketing or field trials and, therefore, no incentives exist for the GMO industry to sponsor safety studies; and

WHEREAS, a serious potential for and the appearance of conflicts of interest exist among the GMO industry, regulatory agencies, and universities receiving GMO-industry research grants; and

WHEREAS, an urgent need exists for coordination among federal, state, and county agencies in the areas of health, agriculture, and the environment to examine, learn, and agree on the truth about GMO crops; and

WHEREAS, as in other areas of health, agriculture, and the environment, state and local standards may supersede federal ones if the former are more conservative (i.e., follow the "precautionary principle"); now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that regulatory agencies at both the state and county levels are requested to:

(1) Establish safety guidelines relating to occupational and community health, agriculture, and the environment for all GMO crops;

(2) Develop an approval process for all GMO crops to be planted in communities;

(3) Develop a plan to monitor violations of required safety procedures and enforce compliance thereof;

(4) Create a mechanism to investigate complaints relating to the side effects of GMO products, including the labeling of GMO products to facilitate such investigations; and

(5) Provide educational workshops across Hawaii pertaining to:

(A) The establishment of safety guidelines relating to occupational and community health, agriculture, and the environment;

(B) The development of an approval process for all GMO crops to be planted in communities;

(C) The development of a plan to monitor violations of required safety procedures and enforce compliance thereof; and

(D) The creation of a mechanism to investigate complaints relating to the side effects of GMO products, including the labeling of GMO products to facilitate such investigations;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Health, Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Mayor and City Council of the City and County of Honolulu, Mayor and County Council of the County of Hawaii, Mayor and County Council of the County of Maui, and Mayor and County Council of the County of Kauai.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO); Coordination of state and county regulatory agencies