Maui GMO opponents sue county, seed companies
The drafters of a new Maui County law imposing a moratorium on the cultivation of genetically modified crops are suing the county to ensure it implements the law.
Attorneys for Alika Atay, Lorrin Pang, Mark Sheehan, Bonnie Marsh and Leiohu Ryder filed the lawsuit in state court in Wailuku on Wednesday.
Attorney Michael Carroll says the plaintiffs want the county to involve the community and be transparent about its implementation of the law.
County voters narrowly passed a ballot initiative imposing the moratorium last week.
The complaint also names Monsanto Co. and Dow Chemical Co. unit Dow AgroSciences.
Maui County spokesman Rod Antone says the county is unable to comment because this is a pending legal matter.
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Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences didn’t immediately respond to an email requesting comment.