SOURCE Jeri DiPietro ofstone@aol.com
SUBHEAD: Monsanto thinking of moving its Kauai operations to Maui and Oahu
By Nina Wu on 20 February 2009 from Maui Ohana -
(http://islandbreath.blogspot.com/2009/02/monsanto-to-leave-kauai.html)
Image above: Drivers stand in front of a Monsanto Chemical Company tank truck in the 1950s. Are they carrying the "safe" pesticide DDT? From http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/wrexham/pages/flexsys.shtml
SUBHEAD: Monsanto thinking of moving its Kauai operations to Maui and Oahu
By Nina Wu on 20 February 2009 from Maui Ohana -
(http://islandbreath.blogspot.com/2009/02/monsanto-to-leave-kauai.html)
Image above: Drivers stand in front of a Monsanto Chemical Company tank truck in the 1950s. Are they carrying the "safe" pesticide DDT? From http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/wrexham/pages/flexsys.shtml
Monsanto Hawaii is transferring its current Kauai operations to its facilities on Oahu and Maui by a target date of May. "It's efficiency," said Monsanto spokesman Paul Koehler. "With the operations that are there, in terms of size and scale, we can achieve the same if not better results on Maui and Oahu because they have a larger footprint."
The transfer will affect about 30 positions on Kauai, although all affected employees have been invited to apply for other positions within Monsanto Hawaii. Koehler said there are more than enough openings to accommodate the transferred employees. Monsanto, a global company specializing in biotech corn seed crops, made the announcement to Kauai employees this morning, and is also offering a severance package option.
Monsanto Hawaii has been expanding its operations and workforce over the past several years, particularly on Oahu, Maui and Molokai. Monsanto in 2007 purchased 2,300 acres of former Del Monte Fresh Produce Hawaii land from the James Campbell Co. and expanded its lease of lands on Molokai. Currently, the company employees about 800 residents statewide.
See also:
Island Breath: Genetically Modified Kauai 12/8/08
2 comments :
submitted to the GI News:
As reported in yesterday’s paper, Monsanto’s decision to leave Kauai for economic reasons raises some questions about the sustainability of the GMO industry. The article mentions the increased scrutiny that the industry is facing as well. Last week’s article by Coco Zickos also mentioned the debate between advocates for safe food and non GMO products and supporters of GMO related agriculture. In that article, it is mentioned that Hawaii is ground zero for field experiments and testing.
The debate can be framed by some as GMO Good vs GMO Bad. If it were only that simple. The issues of food security, appropriate technology and sustainable agriculture all tie into responsible economic development. The loss of any jobs during these trying times should not to be overlooked yet it is hard to deny that the corporate decisions made in faraway offices often are felt hardest by those toiling in the fields and struggling to make ends meet on hourly wages. It is nice to know that Monsanto will offer jobs to its employees and relocate but chances are great that the majority those positions will be filled by imported workers with little or no ties to Kauai’s Westside.
As a community we are best served by open dialog and discussion about these issues. The events reported by Ms. Zickos in her article regarding the ongoing GMO debate help to further the understanding of the issues. Between Dr. Cindy Goldstein, a scientist employed by Pioneer Hi-Bred and Jeffry Smith, an international speaker and author invited by GMO Free Kauai And Hawaii SEED to present information on the potential harmful effects of GMO food products and its agricultural practices, there is plenty of factual information that will help Kauai decide what is best for our food, our families and our community.
For many the choices are clear and their position on the debate is fixed. For others the opportunity to learn, discover and decide about the GMO industry is assisted by objective unbiased reporting from the media. Mahalo to the Garden Island news staff for it’s coverage and reports on legislative actions, community forums and industry developments. As the debate continues, it is crucial that we stay informed, engaged and empowered to make a difference in creating a healthy and sustainable Kauai.
Aloha aina,
James G Trujillo
The chemicals are in our drinking water. Maybe with Clayton Hee in a key legislative position some consumer protections will be implemented.
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