Bill Text: HI HB667 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Department of Agriculture; Food Safety and Security Program
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Vetoed) 2011-07-12 - (S) Vetoed on 07-12-11 - Returned from the Governor without approval (Gov. Msg. No. 1342). [HB667 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2011-HB667-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
667 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 2 |
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C.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO FOOD SAFETY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Good agricultural practices are guidelines designed by the United States Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture to produce safe products and eliminate potential for product contamination. Good agricultural practices, among other things, include guidance on human hygiene, animals and their manures, water quality for irrigation and produce rinse, and agricultural pesticides. These standards are being adopted by the world's leading farmers, who understand that they have a responsibility to provide the safest food possible to consumers.
The Food Safety Modernization Act was recently signed into law. The law authorizes the Food and Drug Administration and the Secretary of Human Services to increase inspections of many domestic food facilities and enhance detection of food borne illnesses.
Safe production, distribution, and consumer handling of food requires knowledge of food borne pathogens, chemical toxins, food quality, and labeling. Hawaii's current system of regulation is understaffed, and the remaining staff is unprepared or untrained for the rapid changes that have occurred in risk assessment, production and distribution methodologies, and new foods and emerging pathogens. Food safety programs are also not integrated among government agencies, hampering communication and cooperation.
In addition, many of Hawaii's growers are not implementing good agricultural practices. This failure to follow science‑based, risk-reducing food production practices is worsened by the existence of the rat lungworm nematode in Hawaii. When consumed, this nematode can cause serious illness, as has happened numerous times during the past few years.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a food safety and security program within the department of agriculture.
SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"PART . FOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY PROGRAM
§141- Food safety and security program; establishment.
There shall be established within the department of agriculture a food safety and security program that shall:
(1) Provide training, certification, support, and assistance to the agricultural industry; and
(2) Interface with other state and federal agencies to meet the requirements of this part.
§141- Objectives; duties. (a) The objectives of the food safety and security program shall be to:
(1) Assist the Hawaii agricultural industry in achieving food safety and security in a cost-effective and efficient manner;
(2) Provide an integrative system to tie food safety and security with other department mandates, including biosecurity and quality assurance; and
(3) Respond effectively to federal rules, regulations, and guidelines to minimize harm to Hawaii's agricultural industry.
(b) To meet the objectives of subsection (a), the department shall:
(1) Establish, operate, or participate in establishing port facilities where agricultural commodities can be inspected, quarantined, fumigated, disinfected, destroyed, or otherwise treated for any disease;
(2) Perform all inspections and certifications of agricultural commodities in an efficient, effective, and expeditious manner; and
(3) Develop and implement programs to educate and develop the agricultural industry to meet state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
For purposes of this section, "agricultural commodities" means any grain, livestock, poultry, fruit, plant, timber, or other item produced from agricultural activities and shall include trees, shrubs, herbs, and other plants."
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011.
Report Title:
Department of Agriculture; Food Safety and Security Program
Description:
Creates the food safety and security program within the Department of Agriculture. Effective July 1, 2011. (HB667 CD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
