S.C.R. No. 178 Summary

• Urges the State to prohibit introduction of biocontrol agents that could threaten economically important forage grass species used in Hawaii's beef cattle industry.

• Recognizes Hawaii's beef cattle production contributes over $48 million annually to the state economy and manages approximately 750,000 acres (20%) of Hawaii's rangelands.

• Identifies forage grasses as essential for livestock grazing, which provides ecosystem services including soil stabilization, watershed management, carbon sequestration, and weed suppression.

• Urges the State to fund and direct agencies to develop policies and initiatives that incentivize livestock grazing for vegetation management on state and private lands that are currently undermanaged.

• Directs transmission of the resolution to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, and all county mayors.