Judge halts Maui GMO Law

SUBHEAD: Attorneys pointed at the harm to the local economy and belief that scientists have already proven GMOs are fine.

By Nathan Eagle on 14 November 2014 for Civil Beat -
(http://www.civilbeat.com/2014/11/judge-puts-brakes-on-maui-gmo-law/)


Image above: An aerial view of Monsanto Company’s fields on Molokai - part of Maui County. From original article.

Genetically engineered seed companies and the farmers who grow their crops got a little breathing room Friday thanks to a federal court order halting the implementation of Maui County’s new GMO law.

Judge Barry Kurren granted a temporary injunction for Monsanto and a list of other plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the moratorium on genetically modified farming that voters narrowly approved November 4th.

The injunction is in place until December 5th unless further ordered by the court.

Monsanto and an affiliate of DowAgro Chemicals operate on 3,400 acres in Maui County, employing more than 400 people. The biotech companies spent more money trying to defeat the ballot initiative that created the ordinance than has ever been seen in Hawaii elections on a single issue.

In the lawsuit, the companies say it’s unfair for the county to ban genetically engineered farming until the county studies the public health and environmental effects and the County Council deems it’s safe.

Attorneys pointed at the harm to the local economy and belief that scientists have already proven GMOs are fine.

As Civil Beat reported, the lawsuit comes a day after five Maui County residents and a nonprofit called the SHAKA Movement sued the county, Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences in state court seeking to ensure that the ban would be enforced.

Read the court order granting the injunction is here below:




Images above: Page 1 and 2 of the Court Order.


See also:
Ea O Ka Aina: Tsuji to Chair Agricultural Committee 11/14/14
Ea O Ka Aina: 2014 Election Hangover 11/5/14
Ea O Ka Aina: Is Maui the next GMO battlefield? 12/19/13
Ea O Ka Aina: Maui Bans GMO Taro 10/3/09



.

1 comment :

Unknown said...

How can a corpse sue a corpse?
http://www.nationallibertyalliance.org/

Post a Comment