LIHUE — The eight-member citizen fact-finding group on pesticide use by Kauai’s major agricultural operators will release the draft of its final report on March 10. A public presentation and informational briefing on the report will be held by the
LIHUE — The eight-member citizen fact-finding group on pesticide use by Kauai’s major agricultural operators will release the draft of its final report on March 10.
A public presentation and informational briefing on the report will be held by the study group on April 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kauai Veterans Center.
When issued, the report will be posted at www.accord3.com/pg1000.cfm and public comments can be sent to jffcomments@gmail.com. The public comment period will close April 8.
The study group is particularly interested in two kinds of feedback:
First, are there specific errors with any of the factual data or empirical evidence that has been gathered?
Second, are there specific and relevant factual data or peer reviewed empirical evidence the group has missed?
If so, respondents are asked to explain why such information and data is pertinent to pesticide use on Kauai and to provide a link or reference to the information or data for the group to consider. Comments should be limited to 250 words or less.
The independent study group, funded by the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Mayor of Kauai, was facilitated by members of The ACCORD3.0 Network and began meeting last March in the wake of the Bill 2491 and Ordinance 960 hearings.
The group of eight Kauai citizens examined data from Kauai, reviewed national and international studies, and spoke with public officials, scientists, agricultural professionals, activists and others on the use of pesticides by major agribusinesses on Kauai.
The eight members are Adam Asquith, Ph.D.; Lee Evslin, M.D.; Gerardo Rojas Garcia, M.S.; Sarah Styan, Ph.D.; Kathleen West-Hurd, Ph.D.; Douglas Wilmore, M.D.; Kawika Winter, Ph.D.; and Louisa Wooten.
The independent body sought factual answers to the following questions:
w Quantitatively, what are the actual agricultural “footprints” that Kauai’s seed companies occupy and farm?
w What pesticides do they use, in what quantities, and at what rates?
w Are there detectable and measurable human or environmental health impacts on Kauai associated with seed company pesticide practices?
w Is current oversight and regulation sufficient and effective?
The draft final report will include the group’s tentative findings and conclusions and will include a number of recommendations based on the 12 months of fact-finding.
