Kauai, Big Island consider GMO measures

LIHUE » Councils in two Hawaii counties are considering bills related to genetically modified foods several months after state lawmakers turned down a labeling bill.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported today Opens in a new tab that the Hawaii County Council is expected to hear a proposal to prohibit transgenic crops on the island beyond those already grown on existing farms. The existing farms would face tighter regulations, including signs on the property marking the use of transgenic crops. The farms would also have to register with the county with information including a list of pesticides and herbicides used.

The Garden Island says a Kauai councilman is introducing a bill there to require the county’s largest agricultural companies to disclose the use of pesticides and the presence of genetically engineered crops to the county.