Urging The Department Of Agriculture To Adopt Proposed Amendments To Chapter 4-72, Hawaii Administrative Rules, That Provide Important Authorities For The Department To Prevent The Spread Of Insects, Diseases, And Other Invasive Pests Within The State.
Impact
If adopted, these amendments would empower the Department of Agriculture to regulate and prevent the sale of infested merchandise more effectively, which is a significant change from the current voluntary compliance approach. Currently, there are no prohibitions against selling plants known to be infested with invasive pests; thus, the amendments would close this gap in the law. The expectation is that by strengthening these regulations, both public health and the agricultural sector will benefit due to reduced pest spread. Other state departments, county governments, and the general public all stand to gain from the successful implementation of these rules.
Summary
Senate Resolution SR163 urges the Department of Agriculture of Hawaii to adopt proposed amendments to Chapter 4-72 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules, which aims to enhance the Department's authority in combating the spread of invasive pests. The resolution highlights the urgent need for these amendments due to the rapid encroachment of harmful pests such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle, coqui frog, and little fire ants across the islands. By granting more powers to the Department, the resolution seeks to prevent significant damage to the state's agricultural industries and natural resources.
Contention
The proposed amendments have garnered near-unanimous support from relevant committees, indicating a consensus on the importance of the issue. Nonetheless, concerns may arise regarding the implications for local businesses that deal in plants and agricultural products and how they might need to adjust their practices to comply with stricter sales regulations. The resolution does not mention any formal opposition, but as with any regulatory change, stakeholders in the agricultural sector might voice differing opinions on the implementation specifics and the sufficiency of the Department's plan to address their needs.
Same As
Urging The Department Of Agriculture To Adopt Proposed Amendments To Chapter 4-72, Hawaii Administrative Rules, That Provide Important Authorities For The Department To Prevent The Spread Of Insects, Diseases, And Other Invasive Pests Within The State.
Urging The Department Of Agriculture To Adopt Proposed Amendments To Chapter 4-72, Hawaii Administrative Rules, That Provide Important Authorities For The Department To Prevent The Spread Of Insects, Diseases, And Other Invasive Pests Within The State.
Requesting The Office Of The Auditor To Conduct A Performance Audit Of The Plant Pest Control Branch And Plant Quarantine Branch Within The Plant Industry Division Of The Department Of Agriculture.
Requesting The Office Of The Auditor To Conduct A Performance Audit Of The Plant Pest Control Branch And Plant Quarantine Branch Within The Plant Industry Division Of The Department Of Agriculture.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Create A Plan To Develop An Invasive Pests Placard Program And Assess The Resources Needed To Implement The Program.
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Create A Plan To Develop An Invasive Pests Placard Program And Assess The Resources Needed To Implement The Program.
Urging The State, Counties, And Other Relevant Agencies To Provide Increased And Sustained Funding To The Invasive Species Committees And Hawaii Ant Lab Within The Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit Of The University Of Hawaii At Mnoa.