STAND. COM. REP. NO.3469
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2002
RE: H.C.R. No. 70
H.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2002
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 70, H.D. 1, entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO INITIATE A PROGRAM TO ERADICATE FRUIT FLIES IN HAWAII,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purposes of this measure are to:
(1) Urge the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (APHIS) to allocate funds and initiate planning for the eradication of fruit flies in Hawaii;
(2) Urge APHIS to allocate funds to demonstrate the safety of using new pesticides, including spinosad; and
(3) Request APHIS to work with various state departments and agencies, and agricultural organizations.
Testimony supporting this measure was received from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.
Your Committee finds that the agriculture industry represents a significant portion of Hawaii's economic base. Its potential to open new markets locally, nationally, and internationally continues to grow as the State further focuses on agricultural promotion, business development, and research. However, one major hindrance to expansion is pests, specifically fruit flies. Fruit flies cause substantial economic and environmental damage to Hawaii's agricultural industry. Past efforts have not been adequate to control fruit flies in the State. This measure requests assistance and resources from the federal government in eradicating fruit flies in the State to further ensure Hawaii's agriculture industry continues to grow.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 70, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,
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____________________________ JAN YAGI BUEN, Chair |
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