Hawaiin Judge Halts Registration of Farms Growing GM Crops

US Hawaii County's effort to register farms growing genetically modified crops was put on hold recently. According to the Hawaii Tribune Herald, Hilo Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamura granted a temporary restraining order in favor of John Doe, an unnamed plaintiff, two days after the deadline for farmers to comply with the county's registration program.

The order prevents the county from enforcing the registry of genetically modified organisms and disclosing information it has already received, at least for now. Lawyers for the plaintiff, who argue that such disclosure would make farmers targets for vandalism or commercial espionage, are also seeking a preliminary injunction. That request will be heard March 24.

"These are farmers who really fear for their plants, for their farms, and for their livelihoods," said attorney Margery Bronster, while speaking to the court via telephone.

The registry is part of the county's new law banning the use and testing of modified plants within an open-air environment.

Farmers already growing GMO crops are exempted, and those who already use or will use modified crops within the confines of the law must provide such information to the county, reports the Tribune Herald.

At issue is the law's requirement that GMO farmers provide information such as the tax map keys of their farms, a detailed description of the location of GMO crops, and types of crops grown.

The law says that such information may be kept confidential if releasing it to the public would frustrate the county's ability to gather accurate information.

While meant to increase disclosure, Bronster said the law fails to provide criteria for the release of information the farmers provide or means for them to keep it confidential if they believe its release would cause them harm.