Issue Position: Agriculture and Food

Issue Position

In Hawai"i, we import more than 85 percent of the food we eat. At the same time, the average age of a farmer in Hawai"i is 58.6 years old. Our agriculture industry is at a crossroads; if we truly want to grow more of what we eat, we must encourage the consumption of locally grown produce and a new generation of farmers to choose agriculture as a profession. While it is promising that our farmers markets and school gardens are increasing in popularity, we must continue to work toward food security in Hawai"i and a revitalization of our rural areas.

I also believe that all people have a right to know what is in the food they eat and feed their families. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration requires the labeling of more than 3,000 ingredients but it has resisted labeling for genetically engineered foods. That is why I am an original co-sponsor of the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act (H.R. 1699), which requires genetically engineered whole and processed foods, including fish and seafood, to be clearly labeled. This legislation would simply empower consumers to make informed choices.

The unnecessary overuse of antibiotics in livestock and its impact on human health and the effectiveness of pharmaceutical drugs is also of great concern. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria has already been found in more than 50 percent of turkey, pork chops, and ground beef. he Food and Drug Administration's voluntary program does not address this public health concern. I have cosponsored H.R. 1150, which aims to preserve the effectiveness of medically important antibiotics.

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