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| Hilo, Hawaii News, Sports, & Information |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 |
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Posted: Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 8:57 AM HST
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Hawaii coffee no longer needs to be certified
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HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii-grown coffee will no longer need to be inspected and certified.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie's office said Tuesday he wasn't signing a bill that eliminates mandatory certification for coffee but instead allowing the measure to become law without his signature.
Kona coffee farmers have said the bill would be disastrous for the industry's integrity and reputation.
Kona-grown coffee currently must be inspected and certified by the state. Inspectors make sure Kona-labeled blends actually contain at least 10 percent Kona-grown coffee.
Lawmakers passed the measure to help the state Department of Agriculture cope with a staffing shortage. The agency is down to one inspector on the Big Island's west side.
Abercrombie said in a statement Tuesday the bill "marks the beginning" for the department to work with stakeholders to protect Hawaii's products.
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