SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Hawaii has become ground zero for the battle over GMOs. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)
Fight Continues Over Moratorium of GMO Crops on Hawaii's Big Island
Aug 06, 2014
On Aug. 1 Center for Food Safety (CFS), Earthjustice and local farmers filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit to defend the County of Hawaii's Ordinance 13-121, which places a moratorium on expanding GE crops on the Big Island and regulates the organisms to prevent harm from associated pesticide use and the contamination of non-GE crops.
"Hawaii County, like every county, has the right to protect its farmers and native environments from genetically engineered crops," said George Kimbrell, CFS senior attorney. "Having GE-free zones is critical for the sustainable future of U.S. agriculture, and to protect Hawaii's unique ecosystems."
The lawsuit is driven largely by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the trade association representing companies like Monsanto. It aims to open up the island for expansion of GE crop production by rolling back the 2013 ordinance. Due to Hawaii's climate, it has become a world center for experimental GE seed production.
"Hawaii is one of the most biologically diverse, as well as spectacularly beautiful, places in the world, but the chemical companies have been turning the islands into experimental laboratories, unleashing a fountain of pesticides and genetically engineered material into the air, land and waters," said Paul Achitoff, Earthjustice managing attorney based in Honolulu."We stand with the people of Hawaii Island who are trying to protect their island from being transformed into another toxic waste dump."
The Big Island is not the only Hawaiian island facing such legal battles. Kaua'i was sued by three big agrochemical companies in January to block Kaua'i County's genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory law. Hawaii has become ground zero for the battle over GMOs, with growing grassroots opposition to the five big biotech companies expanding their operations there: Monsanto, Syngenta, DuPont, Dow Agrochemicals and BASF.
"In Hawaii, we believe that our seeds, crops, and foods should remain free of contamination from genetically engineered plants," said Big Island farmer and agricultural educator, Nancy Redfeather.
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
© 2023 EcoWatch
On Aug. 1 Center for Food Safety (CFS), Earthjustice and local farmers filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit to defend the County of Hawaii's Ordinance 13-121, which places a moratorium on expanding GE crops on the Big Island and regulates the organisms to prevent harm from associated pesticide use and the contamination of non-GE crops.
"Hawaii County, like every county, has the right to protect its farmers and native environments from genetically engineered crops," said George Kimbrell, CFS senior attorney. "Having GE-free zones is critical for the sustainable future of U.S. agriculture, and to protect Hawaii's unique ecosystems."
The lawsuit is driven largely by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the trade association representing companies like Monsanto. It aims to open up the island for expansion of GE crop production by rolling back the 2013 ordinance. Due to Hawaii's climate, it has become a world center for experimental GE seed production.
"Hawaii is one of the most biologically diverse, as well as spectacularly beautiful, places in the world, but the chemical companies have been turning the islands into experimental laboratories, unleashing a fountain of pesticides and genetically engineered material into the air, land and waters," said Paul Achitoff, Earthjustice managing attorney based in Honolulu."We stand with the people of Hawaii Island who are trying to protect their island from being transformed into another toxic waste dump."
The Big Island is not the only Hawaiian island facing such legal battles. Kaua'i was sued by three big agrochemical companies in January to block Kaua'i County's genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory law. Hawaii has become ground zero for the battle over GMOs, with growing grassroots opposition to the five big biotech companies expanding their operations there: Monsanto, Syngenta, DuPont, Dow Agrochemicals and BASF.
"In Hawaii, we believe that our seeds, crops, and foods should remain free of contamination from genetically engineered plants," said Big Island farmer and agricultural educator, Nancy Redfeather.
On Aug. 1 Center for Food Safety (CFS), Earthjustice and local farmers filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit to defend the County of Hawaii's Ordinance 13-121, which places a moratorium on expanding GE crops on the Big Island and regulates the organisms to prevent harm from associated pesticide use and the contamination of non-GE crops.
"Hawaii County, like every county, has the right to protect its farmers and native environments from genetically engineered crops," said George Kimbrell, CFS senior attorney. "Having GE-free zones is critical for the sustainable future of U.S. agriculture, and to protect Hawaii's unique ecosystems."
The lawsuit is driven largely by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the trade association representing companies like Monsanto. It aims to open up the island for expansion of GE crop production by rolling back the 2013 ordinance. Due to Hawaii's climate, it has become a world center for experimental GE seed production.
"Hawaii is one of the most biologically diverse, as well as spectacularly beautiful, places in the world, but the chemical companies have been turning the islands into experimental laboratories, unleashing a fountain of pesticides and genetically engineered material into the air, land and waters," said Paul Achitoff, Earthjustice managing attorney based in Honolulu."We stand with the people of Hawaii Island who are trying to protect their island from being transformed into another toxic waste dump."
The Big Island is not the only Hawaiian island facing such legal battles. Kaua'i was sued by three big agrochemical companies in January to block Kaua'i County's genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory law. Hawaii has become ground zero for the battle over GMOs, with growing grassroots opposition to the five big biotech companies expanding their operations there: Monsanto, Syngenta, DuPont, Dow Agrochemicals and BASF.
"In Hawaii, we believe that our seeds, crops, and foods should remain free of contamination from genetically engineered plants," said Big Island farmer and agricultural educator, Nancy Redfeather.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.