HI SR82

Request the Department of Agriculture to establish a Hawaii Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) program for farms growing local agricultural food products.

Program shall develop science- and risk-based good agricultural practices to reduce potential for on-farm food-borne illness, tailored to different farm sizes, practices, and crops.

Program shall educate and train Hawaii farmers on implementing good agricultural practices in a cost-effective manner and provide voluntary verification procedures with state compliance certification.

Program shall develop a consumer information campaign on proper treatment and handling of fresh and processed agricultural food products.

Department of Agriculture shall consult with the Department of Health, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and other state and federal agencies during program development.