Judge Greg Nakamura granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday preventing Hawaii County from disclosing the identity and specific location of farms growing genetically engineered papaya.
The order in Hilo Circuit Court allows the county to maintain a registry of genetically modified organisms, but prevents information that could identify papaya growers from being released publicly.
Two growers of GMO papaya, Ross Sibucao and an unnamed plaintiff, challenged the requirement that they register with the county, arguing it would expose them to vandalism or other forms of economic harm. One of the concerns was that the county lacked clear rules regarding what information it would release to the public as part of the program.
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The injunction notes the need for a comprehensive policy addressing this issue. In regard to disclosure, it says releasing the specific locations of papaya farms would not “protect farmers of non-genetically engineered crops” because of the “limited risk” of cross-pollination and because GMO papaya is not prohibited.
Read the full, original article: GMO papaya disclosure curbed
