Abercrombie intervenes in Kauai’s fight on pesticides

The state will create standards and guidelines for seed companies to voluntarily disclose the types of restricted pesticides they use and will set up buffer zones near schools and hospitals, Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced Monday.

But backers of a bill on Kauai to regulate pesticide use and genetically modified crops say the governor’s initiative doesn’t fully deal with their health and environmental concerns.

In a news release, Abercrombie said: "Kauai legislators and members of my administration have been discussing current issues regarding agriculture on the island of Kauai, including residents being informed about activities in their immediate area.

"We collaborated with the Kauai delegation and farmers about taking steps to address the concerns of the community, including providing disclosure of use of pesticides and creating buffer zones around schools and hospitals," he said.

Companies, Abercrombie added, will voluntarily comply with temporary standards until such time as department heads and others involved can develop rules to be introduced at the next legislative session.

Earlier this year Abercrombie signed Act 105, which requires the state Department of Agriculture to post certain information regarding restricted-use pesticides on its website.

He said he would work with the Legislature to restore employees and seek additional funding for the Agriculture Department and Department of Health’s Environmental Health Adminstration, particularly for the neighbor islands, to address compliance, contamination and timely inspec- tions relating to pesticides.

State Sen. Ronald Kouchi, who represents Kauai and Niihau, said the guidelines will not supersede or interfere with Kauai County Council Bill 2491, which calls for disclosure of pesticide use by large agribusinesses that operate on Kauai and implementation of buffer zones near schools, hospitals, residential areas, public roadways, streams, rivers and shorelines.

"We are looking at a statewide approach," he said.

In a written statement, Alicia Malua­fiti, executive director of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, said the group applauds the state for stepping in and recognizing its role in regulating pesticides in Hawaii along with federal agencies that monitor agribusinesses.

"Kauai seed farmers are highly trained, efficient and careful users of pesticides, the very same pesticides that many other farmers and governments departments use in Hawaii," said Malua­fiti.

Kauai Councilman Gary Hooser, who co-introduced Bill 2491 with Councilman Tim Bynum, said he is happy the governor and the state are finally taking the issue seriously, but it isn’t enough.

"There need to be some requirements and teeth in the law to require compliance," said Hooser.

Businesses potentially affected by the proposed ordinance are Syngeta Hawaii, DuPont Pioneer, BASF Corp. and Dow AgroSciences, as well as Kauai Coffee, the largest coffee grower in the state.

The County Council’s Economic Development, Agriculture, Sustainability & Intergovernmental Relations Committee will meet Friday to vote on the bill. The committee deferred a vote at a meeting two weeks ago to further review the issue.

Hooser, chairman of the committee, said he lacks confidence that biotech companies will voluntarily comply with disclosure and setbacks.

"The industry hasn’t been forthright with the community in the past," he said. "They haven’t voluntarily complied with anything."

Of the state’s intent to implement buffer zones, Hooser and Bynum questioned the lack of buffers for parks and residential neighborhoods. They deserve the same kind of protection, said Hooser.

Bynum said he has a slew of questions as to why the state decided to step in now.

"We have asked the state for years to seriously please address our concerns, and they haven’t," he said. "I’m glad that they would pay attention now."