Posted July 2, 2015
A federal
judge ruled that a Maui County ban on the cultivation of genetically engineered
(GMO) crops is pre-empted by federal and state law and invalid, according to a
Capital Press article available here.
Honolulu Civil Beat also published an article available here
and ABC News here.
The
county’s ordinance exceeded the county’s authority, U.S. District Court Chief
Judge Susan Oki Mollway said in her order.
The
county, which is a major center for research on GMO crops, will abide by the
decision, spokesman Rod Antone said. Monsanto Co. and Dow Chemical Co. unit
Agrigenetics Inc. both have research farms in the county.
Mollway
emphasized that the ruling is not a statement on whether genetically modified
organisms are beneficial or detrimental, according to Honolulu
Civil Beat.
“The court
recognizes the importance of questions about whether GE activities and GMOs
pose risks to human health, the environment, and the economy, and about how
citizens may participate in democratic processes,” she said. “But any court is
a reactive body that addresses matters before it rather than reaching out to
grab hold of whatever matters may catch a judge’s fancy because the matters are
interesting, important, or of great concern to many people.”
Mark
Sheehan, one of five citizens who sponsored the ballot initiative, said his
group would appeal the order. He expressed disappointment that Mollway ruled on
what he called procedural issues instead of addressing the substance of their
argument, according to Capital
Press.
Monsanto
said in a statement after the ruling that it welcomes "the opportunity to
continue to have conversations" with the community, according to ABC
News.
"We're
listening and we've heard the concerns some people have about GMOs and today's
farming practices. Our commitment to ongoing dialogue with our neighbors
doesn't stop today," said John Purcell, vice president and Monsanto's lead
for business and technology in Hawaii.
There has
been little scientific evidence to prove that foods grown from engineered seeds
are less safe than their conventional counterparts. But fears persist in Hawaii
and elsewhere. In the islands, these concerns are compounded by worries about
the companies' use of pesticides.
For more information on biotechnology, please visit the
National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
