Bill Text: HI SB2170 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Sale and Distribution of Foie Gras; Prohibition

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-23 - (S) The committee on JGO deferred the measure. [SB2170 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB2170-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2104

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2170

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2170 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FORCE FEEDING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to discourage the practice of force feeding ducks for the production of foie gras by:

 

     (1)  Prohibiting the sale or distribution in Hawaii of any product that is the result of force feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird's liver beyond normal size;

 

     (2)  Establishing a fine of not more than $10,000 for each separate offense; and

 

     (3)  Authorizing the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by five private organizations, and twenty-nine individuals.  Testimony in opposition was submitted by one state agency, three private organizations, and one individual.

 

     Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that currently two companies in the United States produce foie gras, one in California and one in New York.  California adopted a ban in 2004, which will take effect in 2012, on the production and sale of foie gras that is produced using the method of force feeding.  In response, the president of the only foie gras producer in California has publicly stated that his farm will find a humane method of producing foie gras prior to the ban taking effect.

 

     Your Committee further finds that enacting a similar ban in Hawaii will ensure that producers of foie gras continue their commitment to more humane methods of production.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2170 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

		____________________________ CLAYTON HEE, Chair