Kona Coffee Council - LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Kona Coffee Council Policy on Genetically Modified Coffee Plants
ISSUED FRIDAY JULY 12TH 2002

The Kona Coffee Council opposes the introduction of genetically modified coffee plants into the North and South Kona regions.

Specifically, we request the following:

1. Impose a moratorium on the release of genetically modified coffee plants into the Kona regions until a regulatory regime has been adopted that includes extensive evaluation of genetic contamination from pollen drift and other environmental consequences and secondary ecological effects.

2. Rule that liability for any external costs to individuals and the environment caused by physical spillover effects, such as genetic contamination from pollen drift, must be borne by the growers, manufacturers and distributors of genetically engineered plants.

3. In conjunction with the establishment of an adequate regulatory regime as outlined in (1), require genetically modified plantings to be explicitly labeled as such, and neighboring properties notified. The costs of such labeling and notification to be borne by the owner or lessee of the planted land.

4. Any coffee produced from genetically modified plants to be explicitly labeled as such at every stage of its production though to sale to provide adequate information to processors and consumers. The costs of such labeling and verification to be borne by the growers and processors of the genetically modified coffee.

Note:
The KCC Policy has been endorsed by the Kona Farmers Alliance, The Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative, the Kona County Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Organic Farming Association.
The Hawaii Coffee Association issued its own policy that there should be no GM coffee grown commercially or field tested in the State of Hawaii.
The Hawaii County Council voted to recommend to the State agencies that a Regional Review Protocol (ie: one that invoved the Kona Region) should be in place prior to any release of any GM coffee plants in Kona.

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BRINGING GREEN COFFEE INTO HAWAII, EVEN IN SMALL AMOUNTS FOR HOME ROASTING, IS ILLEGAL UNESS THE BEANS HAVE BEEN FUMIGATED.

It is a violation of the law to import green coffee beans into the State of Hawaii without being treated in accordance with the Hawaii Department of
Agriculture administrative rules.

                        Title 4 - Hawaii Department of Agriculture
                        Subtitle 6 - Division of Plant Industry
                        Chapter 70
                        Plant and Non-Domestic Animal Quarantine
                        Plant Import Rules
                        Subchapter 4

                        Introduction of Coffee

                        §4-70-16 Notice of quarantine. The board has determined that there exists serious danger to the coffee industry of Hawaii from the introduction of the coffee berry borer (Stephanoderes hampei Ferr.), coffee rust, (Hemileia vastatrix B. &Br.), and other insects, pests and diseases
of coffee, that are not now established in Hawaii.

                        §4-70-17 Prohibited introductions. The introduction of any coffee plants (any species of the genus Coffea), plant part, unroasted seeds, and used coffee bags into Hawaii is prohibited except by permit issued in accordance with §§4-70-18, 4-70-19, and 4-70-20.

PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT FINES ATTACHED TO THIS RULE, AS WELL AS THE INHERENT DANGER YOU WOULD IMPOSE ON THE HAWAII COFFEE INDUSTRY.
 

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COFFEE STANDARDS
from Dept of Ag went ino effect 10/8/01 - Download Here, will open with Adobe Acrobat

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Kona Coffee Federal Trade Mark
You may click on this image and save it to your own computer for use as authorised by the United States Patent and Traademark Office

 

To view a copy of the Certificate of Registration and Certification Mark Principal Register click on the underlined text.
 
 

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Farm Watch
A partnership between the Farming Community and the Police Department
The West Hawaii Community Policing Team in collaboration with farmers and processors has achieved tremendous results in reducing crop theft from farms.
A Farm Watch handbook - with secuity tips, statistics, numbers to call, and a wealth of information and help, is available from both Kealakehe Police Station and Captain Cook Police Station.
The police will even come out to your farm and give you a security survey.
For details call:
Kealakehe Office - 326-4222
Captain Cook Office - 323-2591

You owe it to yourself and your ohana......

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