STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1165

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 38

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 38 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN FOR INCREASING AID AND ASSISTANCE TO ORGANIC FARMERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Agriculture to develop a plan to increase aid and assistance to organic farmers.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one organization and four public citizens.  One state agency, two organizations, and three public citizens supported the intent of this measure.  Testimony in opposition was submitted by one organization.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     In the past, researchers developing solutions for agricultural problems in Hawaii, did so to the exclusion of organic farmers.  For example, the Papaya Ringspot Virus problem was solved by developing a genetically engineered variety, which is not permitted under organic certification standards.  Recently, this trend has started to change with the development of the Hawaii Organic Seed Program and the Hawaii Area-wide Fruit Fly control program, which is a solution compatible with organic certification.  Your Committee finds that there are still many issues that need to be addressed for Hawaii's organic farmers and the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law No. 110-246, commonly referred to as the 2008 Farm Bill, specifically set aside funds for organic farming issues.  Your Committee believes that this measure will ensure that the Department of Agriculture commits sufficient attention to organic farming issues in Hawaii and employs all resources available in the 2008 Farm Bill.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Including the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii at Manoa as a stakeholder for organic farming; and

    

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for style. 

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 38, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 38, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair