Hawaii County Council Passes GMO Bill

HAWAIIThe Big Island is taking a stance against genetically modified organisms.

The Hawaii County Council on Tuesday passed a bill in a 6-3 vote that restricts expansion of transgenic crops, limiting their use to such enclosed structures as a greenhouse, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported. According to the report, the bill would exempt farmers who already grow GMO crops, including papaya growers.

Mayor Billy Kenoi must decide whether to sign Bill 113 and the council could override a veto with six votes, the newspaper said.

The bill was passed following a failed attempt to require labeling of GMOs in the State of Washington. According to the Office of the Secretary of State, the Nov. 5 ballot initiative was defeated by a margin of 51.1 percent (892, 290 votes) to 48.9 percent (853, 789).

Agricultural groups had argued the measure would have required misleading labels, increased the cost of groceries and provided exemptions for hundreds of foods even if they were made or contained GMOs.