Delegation’s food-policy votes rate high

All three members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation scored high marks on the Food Policy Action’s National Food Policy Scorecard, which ranks lawmakers’ votes on issues relating to food safety and access, farm subsidies, animal welfare, labeling requirements and the effects of food production on the environment.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard received a perfect 100 percent score, while U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono received a score of 94 percent and Sen. Brian Schatz received a 91 percent rating.

The late Rep. Mark Takai was on medical leave much of the year and missed many of the votes.

Senators were graded on 10 votes and 12 bills, while members of the House of Representatives were graded on 16 votes and 15 bills.

The scores were largely split along partisan lines, with most Republicans scoring under 60 percent in the ratings and most Democrats scoring above 60 percent. The overall score average was 57 percent.

Food Policy Action was founded in 2012 with a mission to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes relating to food policies. Its board and vote advisory council is made up of a cross section of officials from advocacy organizations such as Oxfam America and the Natural Resources Defense Council, and from private companies such as Stonyfield Farm, as well as the Organic Trade Association.

Gabbard was one of 79 members in the House who received a perfect score.

“Fighting for sensible transparent food policies and supporting local and domestic agriculture have been among my key priorities,” Gabbard said in a news release Wednesday. “This Congress, we’ve unfortunately seen numerous attempts to roll back progress on good food policy, like undermining common-sense food labeling standards across the country, fast-tracking the destructive Trans-Pacific Partnership and lifting restrictions on the use of harmful pesticides near our vital water resources.”

Food Policy Action applauded Congress for passing the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act, aimed at preventing illegally harvested fish from entering the U.S. market and promoting sustainable fisheries. The group also cheered the Global Food Security Act, aimed at addressing global hunger, poverty and child malnutrition.

However, the group criticized Congress for failing to reauthorize childhood nutrition programs, curb the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and enact clearer GMO labeling requirements.