Big news from Hawaii! First GMO Crop Ban in US passes

February 14, 2007
Moratorium on GMO Taro passes the statehouse

After years of protest the efforts of many concerned citizens, Hui Ho'opakele Aina from Molokai, the Kauai Taro Growers Association, Hawaii SEED, The Gibson Foundation and countless farmers, native Hawaiians, and national groups there has been a MORATORIUM on GMO taro passed through the House in Hawaii! I think this sends an important message, not only about the mounting concern around genetic engineering, but especially about the strength of native peoples around the world who are saying NO to the genetic modification of thier sacred, ancient crops.

I do believe this is the first GMO crop ban in the United States!

Though it is good news, it was a bittersweet victory in that the ban included ammendments to the language of the bill from a 10 year moritorium to 5 years, and the reasons for the moratorium are now reworded as being strictly for cultural reasons (taro being a sacred crop in Hawaii to the native people.) The bill fails to state the other concerns from Native Hawaiians, the dozens of farmers who testified and other concerned citizens who flew to Honolulu to testify over past few years. Clearly the legislature, University of Hawaii, and other parties with vested interests in GE research in Hawaii did not want to send out any messages about this succession also being a result of pressure around environmental, health, economic, and other moral concerns.

(Specifically, the has bill passed through several committees, as well as on the floor of the Senate, then through the house including in the ag. committee. It still has to be heard in other committes so more changes may happen, but the 5 year moratorium is the minimum ban that will be enacted.)

Thanks also to The Center for Food Safety for help with the GMO taro issue in Hawaii over the years, as well as GEAN and our other allies worldwide.

Mahalo ke Akua.
This isn't over. It will take some work to keep organizing over the next five years, but this is quite a victory.

With Aloha from Hawaii,

Sarah Sullivan, Hawaii SEED

If you are interested in seeing the bill, you can go to:
www.capitol.hawaii.gov and enter HB704 to see details and text