Appropriates funds to (1) Provide the scientific information to support the deregulation process which will allow the genetically engineered Hawaiian rainbow papaya to be introduced into the Japanese market; and (2) Initiate the development and implementation of a marketing plan to promote transgenic and non-transgenic Hawaiian papaya in Japan and in future markets, including China and the European Union. (SB1899 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the papaya is the second most important fruit crop in Hawaii. In 1992, ninety-five per cent of Hawaii's papaya crop was damaged from the papaya ringspot virus, plunging the industry into a crisis. As a result of these events, a genetically engineered papaya called the "rainbow" papaya was developed to resist the aggressive ringspot virus.

Today, the rainbow papaya is an important part of Hawaii's papaya industry and comprises the majority of the papayas exported to the mainland and Canada. With the advent of the rainbow papaya, the industry is seeking to begin exporting the engineered papayas to Japan. Japan accounts for approximately forty per cent of Hawaii's exports; however, without proper clearances, the rainbow papaya cannot be exported to Japan. The process of introducing the genetically engineered papaya into Japan has been ongoing for over five years, and has been delayed by questions from the Japanese regulators, many of which relate to scientific concerns. The appropriations contained in this Act will support genomic sequencing of the engineered papaya, which will provide the scientific basis to accelerate Japanese approval to market the rainbow papaya both in Japan and in future markets. The legislature believes that by providing information to clear rainbow papayas for export to Japan, the papaya industry will also open doors in other countries, including China and the European Union.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to:

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007 to:

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.