Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Self-Sufficiency & Healthy Food Choices

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 almost 56 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, empower our local farmers who are growing food, and cultivate a new generation of farmers to choose agriculture as a profession. The growth of farmers’ markets and school gardens are a step in the right direction.  We must continue to work toward food security in Hawai‘i and a revitalization of our rural areas. 

Advocating for Transparent Food Policy/GMO Labeling
Fighting for sensible, transparent food policy has been among Tulsi's key priorities in Congress. She has pushed for transparent, easy-to-read labeling of foods with genetically modified (GMO) ingredients so that people can make their own informed decisions about their food. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration requires the labeling of more than 3,000 ingredients, but it has resisted labeling for genetically engineered foods. Tulsi fought against legislation like the DARK Act and other misleading bills that compromise food transparency. She is continuining to work to pass the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act (H.R. 1699), would simply empower consumers to make informed choices by requiring genetically-engineered whole and processed foods to be clearly labeled.

 

“I’ve pushed  for transparent, easy-to-read labeling of foods with genetically modified (GMO) ingredients so that people can make their own informed decisions about their food.” -Rep. Tulsi Gabbard 

Protecting Against Invasive Species 
In Hawaiʻi, invasive species like the coffee berry borer, fire ant, fruit flies, and macadamia felted coccid and others cost our local farmers and agriculture industry millions in lost revenue every year, threaten our unique ecosystem, agriculture and waterways, as well as our food supply and public health. Tulsi has introduced the Areawide Integrated Pest Management (AIPM) Act and Macadamia Tree Health Initiative to support long-term and sustainable solutions to fight invasive species in Hawaiʻi and across the country. AIPMs have a long history of success in Hawaiʻi. They have helped to increase the number of commercial farms and also help local farmers increase their crop diversity, decrease their use of harmful pesticides, and manage pests in a sustainable and cost-effective way.

Click to watch: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Calls for Real Food Transparency for American Consumers

 

More on Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Self-Sufficiency & Healthy Food Choices

December 13, 2016 Press Release

Honolulu, HI—Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) announced today that Hawaiʻi will receive $3.1 million to fight invasive species like the coconut rhinoceros beetle, coffee berry borer, Rapid Ohia Death, and fruit flies. The funding, allocated from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in accordance with Section 10007 of the 2014 Farm Bill, is part of 513 projects supported nationwide that aim to prevent the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases that threaten U.S.

October 26, 2016 Press Release

Honolulu, HI—Food Policy Action announced Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) as a top advocate for improving the nation’s food system. The congresswoman earned a perfect score on the recent release of the National Food Policy Scorecard for her leadership advancing good food policy in the 114th Congress.
 

September 28, 2016 Press Release

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) introduced legislation today to help fight the macadamia felted coccid, an invasive species destroying macadamia trees and threatening the domestic macadamia nut industry at large. Since the invasive insect was introduced to Hawaiʻi in 2005, it has cost the local macadamia nut industry millions every year, threatening the vitality of one of Hawaiʻi’s most important crops.

August 30, 2016 Press Release

Kaʻu, Hawaiʻi Island—Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) conducted a six-stop agriculture tour on Hawaiʻi Island today, starting with meetings and briefings at research facilities in Hilo, followed by farm visits in Volcano, Pahala, and Kaʻu. She also hosted a “Tulsi in Your Town” meeting with Kaʻu farmers and residents that included important briefings from professionals in the agriculture industry. B-roll video footage from the day’s activities is available here for download.

July 14, 2016 Press Release
Washington, DC—Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Annie Kuster (NH-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Jared Polis (CO-02), Peter Welch (VT-AL) and Don Young (AK-AL) today criticized legislation that creates a new, weaker mandatory federal labeling standard for foods containing genetically engineered ingredients.

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