HI HCR27

Hawaii is regulated similarly to U.S. territories under title 7 Code of Federal Regulations part 318, allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict interstate movement of plants and plant products to prevent introduction of plant pests.

The Secretary of Agriculture has prohibited interstate movement of cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and plants from Hawaii unless specifically allowed, with only a limited list of approved commodities.

Hawaii's agricultural commodity petitions are placed in the same queue as foreign countries seeking to export to the U.S., with foreign countries' petitions often receiving higher priority and expedited processing.

Quarantine requirements, inspection, and USDA authorization requirements have severely limited Hawaii's agricultural exports, with growers waiting years or decades for authorization.

Requests Hawaii's congressional delegation petition the USDA to address the disparity in export treatment between Hawaii and other states and territories, with certified copies to be sent to congressional delegation members and the Board of Agriculture Chairperson.