SCR206

WHEREAS, invasive species pose constant challenges to Hawaii's agricultural industry as well as the environment, and the ongoing arrival of new invasive species is unpredictable and can have far-reaching effects; and

WHEREAS, taro is prone to the effects of invasive species, particularly plant diseases, including the Alomae/Bobone virus disease complex and taro beetles; and

WHEREAS, due to the Plant Protection Act of 2000, the Department of Agriculture is no longer able to inspect taro from Asia and the Pacific that may carry pests and diseases, which may cause infestation or disease in taro patches in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, furthermore, Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security has replaced United States Department of Agriculture agents, and now conducts inspections of plant products from foreign countries, thus, leaving the passenger and baggage pathways in Hawaii more vulnerable to unwanted plant pests and diseases; and

WHEREAS, scientific methods of protecting taro from invasive species, such as genetic modification has faced tremendous resistance and opposition because taro is sacred to the Native Hawaiians and is an integral part of the Native Hawaiian culture; and

WHEREAS, furthermore, there are concerns regarding the possible health, environmental, economic, and other cultural impacts that genetically modified taro may pose; and

WHEREAS, however, as the debate ensues on genetically modified taro, there are still many lethal insects and diseases of taro that occur in the Pacific that can cause widespread agricultural and financial losses for taro farmers in Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to develop a taro security and purity research program that is designed to ensure that taro can be saved and protected from natural attack; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture collaborate with taro growers and various Native Hawaiian groups to develop and adopt a program that will:

(1) Allow the Department of Agriculture's Biosecurity Program to protect crops in Hawaii by inspecting foreign crops upon entrance to the State, and preventing any viruses or insects from entering the State;

(2) Allow alternative forms of research on taro other than genetic modification;

(3) Provide public outreach, engagement, and education on taro research and protection; and

(4) Request the United States Department of Agriculture to have the Alomae/Bobone virus disease complex and taro beetles designated at "actionable pests" in the findings of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture report to prevent entry into Hawaii from foreign countries; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the purposes of the program will be to:

(1) Promote agricultural expansion in Hawaii;

(2) Increase public support of locally grown products;

(3) Increase public confidence in biotechnology through robust public participation in regulation;

(4) Promote active dialogue through all agricultural sectors by increasing public and inter-industry education;

(5) Expand export certification programs from only plants to include flowers, fruits, and seeds; and

(6) Assist in the continuation of the fruit fly suppression program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to submit a written report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the 2008 Regular Session; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture; the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii; the President of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; the Chairperson of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hanalei Taro Growers Associations; Kauai Taro Growers Association; Onipa‘a Na Hui Kalo.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Taro; Biosecurity and Purity Research Program; Department of Agriculture

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	206
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII