Issue Position: Agriculture & GMOs

Issue Position

Although Hawai'i and Kaua'i have banned GMO crops, it is only the farmers on the Big Island and Kaua'i who are subject to these bans. Off-island GMO products continue to be sold here despite the bans. It is my position that regulation of GMO crops on a federal level is required to ensure proper monitoring and uniformity. Farmers need to be equally regulated.

I would also push for the monitoring and labeling of all GMO and non-GMO products so that consumers are fully informed. There is an increased demand worldwide for non-GMO products. That factor in itself presents an opportunity for food producers in Hawai'i and Kaua'i counties. The state Department of Agriculture should support the non-GMO producers with international promotion of such products from Hawai'i as they have other local agricultural interests.

We also need to devote more attention and funding to the eradication of invasive species and prevention of their introduction to the Big Island. Currently, invasive species only come to the attention of the state legislature when they reach O'ahu. That needs to change. Prevention protects the entire state and prevention begins on the Big Island.

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