STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1664

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.R. No. 194

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.R. No. 194 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE LEGISLATURE AND ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE HAWAII'S AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TOWARD SUCCESSFUL CO-EXISTENCE AMONG ITS SECTORS AND TO RECOGNIZE THE ECONOMIC, HUMAN, AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SUCH CO-EXISTENCE IN A DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to support and recognize the importance and value of the wide variety of farming methods, crops, and practices of Hawaii's diverse agricultural industry. Specifically, this resolution requests, among other things:

(1) The Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the various agricultural stakeholders and interests to establish a dialogue and process to develop a framework of successful co-existence, with the goal of mutual success and prosperity for agricultural producers, including producers that are organic, conventional, or engaged in biotechnology;

(2) DOA, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), and the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to assist and facilitate the dialogue and process;

(3) The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation (HFBF) to bring the stakeholders together in a meaningful process toward co-existence; and

(4) DOA to report to the Legislature detailing best practices and management plans to ensure success and co-existence among Hawaii's diverse agricultural interests.

DOA, University of Hawaii, HFBF, Big Island Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Monsanto, Hawaiian Alliance for Responsible Technology & Science, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and several concerned individuals supported this measure. DBEDT supported the intent of this resolution. Life of the Land supported this measure but expressed strong concerns. Numerous concerned individuals opposed this resolution.

Your Committee notes that concerns were raised regarding the importance of including all stakeholders involved in agriculture in Hawaii, including those that support organic farming and oppose genetically modified organisms. Your Committee recognizes the importance of receiving input from differing points of view in the development and implementation of ideas that promote and ensure co-existence among the various agricultural interests. Your Committee supports efforts and initiatives to include organic farmers, as well as those engaged in conventional farming and biotechnology-related farming, in the dialogue and process provided under this measure.

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.R. No. 194 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

		____________________________ FELIPE P. ABINSAY, JR., Chair