MISINFORMATION SPREAD ABOUT GMO CROPS

I have spent years working with and providing services to farmers. Do I support organic farming? You bet! Do I support genetically modified crops for farming? You bet!

Farmers are modern business people, whether they have a large or small operation. When I see a letter that suggests GMO crops aren't good for farmers, I have to wonder if the person knows anything about agriculture in today's world.

There is so much misinformation about GMOs. Look at a seed catalog from a big company; farmers can choose GMO or non-GMO seeds. When someone says there are only a few seeds offered and they are all GMO, they haven't done their homework. Farmers do have choices and what are they choosing to plant? GMO seeds. USDA figures show 80 percent of corn planted by U.S. farmers in 2008 was GMO; it was 1 percent in 2001. It's even higher for soybeans and cotton; 92 percent of soybeans and 86 percent of cotton planted in 2008 was GMO.

Why don't we try finding solutions to increase crop productivity with all kinds of farming methods? Instead of spending time trying to convince legislators to pass anti-GMO bills, let's start supporting all type of agriculture for Hawai'i and share information beneficial to all farmers, organic and GMO. Spreading misinformation about GMOs doesn't help.

GMO LEGISLATION

POLITICIANS SELLING OUT ON RIGHT TO PROTECTION

Last week, HB 1226 passed out of Chairman Clift Tsuji's Agriculture Committee at the state House of Representatives. HB 1226 basically says that no county or state agency has the right to discriminate against genetically engineered agricultural crops by passing local ordinances that would protect farmers and citizens.

Although it does "grandfather" in the Hawai'i County's November 2008 ban on growing or researching genetically engineered taro and coffee, and Hawaiian varieties of taro, it prohibits all future actions that would in some way regulate GE crops in the state.

Two weeks ago, New York Times science writer Andrew Pollack ("Crop Scientists Say Biotechnology Seed Companies Are Thwarting Research," Feb. 20) reported that biotech companies are keeping university scientists from researching the effectiveness and environmental impacts of GE crops.

In this unusual complaint to the Environmental Protection Agency, 26 corn specialists complained that biotech companies were denying their permission to research GE corn varieties. Opponents of GE agriculture have long complained that these crops have not been studied thoroughly and could have unintended health and environmental consequences.

Biotech corporations have big influence in Hawai'i, but to remove farmers', citizens', counties' or the state's rights to protect its lands or its citizens, or remove the consumer right for foods to be labeled, is a dangerous, undemocratic and heavy-handed decision. It is disheartening to see our politicians selling out Hawai'i's farmers, agricultural systems, and protection of citizens to corporate interests.

AGRICULTURE

BUY LOCAL AND INCREASE FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY

This coming week is National Agriculture Week and it is a perfect time to support Hawai'i agriculture and begin to increase our consumption of locally grown foods by at least 10 percent. That's just a little change in our buying habits that can go far in increasing Hawai'i's food self-sufficiency.

It should concern everyone in Hawai'i that more than 85 percent of our food is imported. If our state is to become more self-sufficient, growing more of our own food is certainly a priority. While there are many challenges in this quest, there is one key thing that consumers can do. That is to request and purchase locally grown foods whenever possible.

The public is invited to an Ag Sustainability Day event on Tuesday at the State Capitol, fourth floor, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's a good opportunity to see what's exciting in Hawai'i agriculture.

Hawai'i's agriculture is important, not only in food security and economic terms, but also in helping to keep our islands green, recharging our aquifers, reducing the risk of hitchhiking pests on imported produce and serving as an asset to our tourism industry.

For more information on food self-sufficiency, visit the Department of Agriculture's Web site: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/add/food-self-sufficiency

LEGISLATURE

LESS TIME IN SESSION, MORE LIBERTY WE KEEP

Eugene Cordero (Letters, March 12) asks: "Will we have a 'do nothing' Legislature again this year?"

I for one am hoping that we will have a do-nothing Legislature. I'm tired of these "caring" bureaucrats getting together to plot and scheme how to appropriate more of our private property and liberty day after day. When the economy is depressed and the private sector has to find ways to reduce cost and spending, why is it that this government always redoubles its effort to increase taxes and take even more of our diminishing wealth?

The writer also states, "Drivers on cell phones are as bad as drunks."

Should liberty be taken from all for the sake of the few who cannot drive while talking? If someone is operating a vehicle in an unsafe manner, we already have laws that apply to that situation. We don't need to turn the rest of us into criminals because we want to make some productive use of our idle time sitting in traffic.

My ideal legislature would meet six months of the year, for four hours a day. The less time they spend in session, the more of my liberty and property I will be able to keep.

FAIR ELECTIONS

STOP HB 345, LET STRONG LEADERS COME FORWARD

Senators Taniguchi and Takamine, please stop HB 345. Let Hawai'i be proud of being one of the leaders in the nation in fair elections practices.

Give the strong leaders in our state who are neither rich nor servants of special interest a chance to come forward and be heard.