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A Hawaii County law restricting GM crops is invalid, federal judge Barry Kurren said

Bad news from Hawaii: Barry Kurren, the same judge that invalidated Kauai County's law restricting pesticides and GMOs, has ruled that Hawaii County's law restricting GM crops is invalid.

Kurren is also the judge for a similar challenge to Maui County's new law banning cultivation of GMOs.

EXCERPT: Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff, who represents the Center for Food Safety and organic farmers, criticized the judge's ruling. "We believe he was wrong in the Kauai case, and he's equally wrong in this case," Achitoff said. The Kauai case is before the 9th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals.

Federal judge rules against Big Island GMO law

Jennifer Sinco Kelleher
newsok.com, 26 Nov 2014
http://newsok.com/federal-judge-rules-against-big-island-gmo-law/article/feed/765175

A Hawaii County law restricting genetically engineered crops is invalid, a federal judge said in an order issued Wednesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren's decision is similar to his earlier ruling invalidating Kauai County's law on pesticides and genetically modified crops. He's the same magistrate judge who is handling a lawsuit against Maui County's new law banning the cultivation of genetically modified organisms.

The Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, Big Island Banana Growers Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Pacific Floral Exchange, Biotechnology Industry Organization and various farmers sued to invalidate the ordinance that went into effect in December banning new cultivation of any genetically modified crops and testing of GMO crops unless in enclosed spaces such as greenhouses. The ordinance allowed for exemptions for papayas.

"This is something to be thankful for," one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Margery Bronster, said of the ruling coming out the day before Thanksgiving. "This is really important to some of the farmers. It has a big impact on their lives and their livelihoods."

The lawsuit argued that some of the law's effects would include blocking flower-growers seeking a genetically-engineered variety of anthurium that would withstand plant pests and cattlemen who want to grow GMO feed to avoid having to send cattle to the mainland for fattening up before slaughter.

Hawaii County Corporation Counsel Molly Stebbins said the decision is disappointing but not surprising given the Kauai ruling. The county is evaluating whether to appeal, Stebbins said.

Kurren's decision prevents the county from enforcing the law: "This order is dispositive of this case. Judgment shall be entered in favor of plaintiffs and against defendant county of Hawaii."

Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff, who represents the Center for Food Safety and organic farmers, criticized the judge's ruling.

"We believe he was wrong in the Kauai case, and he's equally wrong in this case," Achitoff said. The Kauai case is before the 9th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals.