STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3532

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.C.R. No. 37
                                        H.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was
referred H.C.R. No. 37, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SUPPORT OF THE
     TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII FOR THE
     RESPONSIBLE USE OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE
     BENEFIT OF HAWAII'S PEOPLE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support the responsible
use of agricultural biotechnology for the benefit of Hawaii's
people, the nation, and the world.

     Testimony in favor of this measure was submitted by the
Department of Agriculture, College of Tropical Agriculture and
Human Resources, University of Hawai`i, Hawaii Farm Bureau,
Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Pineapple Growers Association
of Hawaii, Grocery Manufacturers of America, Garst, RESCUE
Hawaii, and American Crop Protection Association.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii has benefited substantially
from agricultural biotechnology.  A significant portion of
Hawaii's export agricultural potential must rely on high value
niches to compete in the world marketplace, and cutting edge
science is critical to market sustainability.  Biotechnology
provides that cutting edge.

     Your Committee has heard that biotechnology is also in its
infancy and must be promoted and developed in an 

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3532
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environmentally responsible manner.  The U.S. regulatory system
provides oversight through three agencies in order to ensure
responsible development and use of biotechnology products.  This
oversight has been in place for ten years, and has proved highly
effective.

     Your Committee is strongly supportive of responsible
biotechnology and the opportunities it offers Hawaii and others.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this
report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of
H.C.R. No. 37, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Economic
                                   Development,



                                   ______________________________
                                   LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
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