Council approves ban on GMO taro

By Melissa Tanji, Staff Writer
The Maui News
October 3, 2009

[excerpt:]
WAILUKU - A bill prohibiting genetically modified taro in Maui County received final approval Friday by the Maui County Council . . .

The taro bill prohibits anyone from testing, propagating, growing or introducing genetically engineered or modified taro, or kalo, within Maui County. Council members voted 9-0 to approve the ban, saying they believed taro's cultural and spiritual significance to Native Hawaiians was more important than any other factor . . .

Supporters of the ban have argued passionately that taro is a sacred plant and staple food for Native Hawaiians and should be kept in its natural form. They feared that even if limited use or research were allowed, genetically modified forms of taro could mingle with other strains being cultivated . . .

To read the full article, visit The Maui News website.

GMO proponents may claim that "GMO crops are safe and well regulated," however, there is extensive evidence that federal oversight is not sufficient to protect farmers and the general public from the potential consequences of this technology. See:
Deficiencies in Federal Regulatory Oversight of Genetically Engineered Crops.

For more information, see:

• Fall 2009 Hawai'i GMO Legislative Update (September 2009)
  
  
• A seed of doubt   (Honolulu Weekly, 4/8/09)
  
  
• Maui supports home rule, opposes Hawai'ian preemption bill   (The Maui News, 3/21/09)
  
  
• GMO preemption in Hawai'i - testimony by Britt Bailey of Environmental Commons   (Bailey, 3/4/09)
  
  
• GMO taro and coffee crops banned on the island of Hawai'i   (EC, 11/08)
  
  
• Big Island bans GMO coffee and taro crops   (Honolulu Advertiser, 11/14/08)
  
  
• GMO taro, coffee banned   (Hawai'i Tribune-Herald, 11/14/08)
  
  
• Taro Culture and Genetic Engineering   (Hawai'i SEED)
  
  
• Environmental Groups Seek Moratorium on Open-Air Tests in Hawai'i   (Washington Post, 2006)
  
  
• An Island Region's Self-rule: Kona Opposes Genetically Engineered Coffee   (Bailey, 2002)

Taro