Big Island farmer sues over GMO registration rule - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

HILO, Hawaii (AP) - An unnamed Big Island papaya farmer is suing for relief from new registration requirements for growers of genetically modified crops.

The lawsuit filed earlier this week claims the county's new registration law is "burdensome and intrusive."

Papaya crops are exempted by the county's new law restricting the planting of genetically modified crops to enclosed structures such as greenhouses. But papaya growers are still required to register with the county.

Registration requirements are required to be fulfilled Wednesday.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff cultivates a variety of papaya that was genetically engineered for resistance to a destructive virus.

The lawsuit says the plaintiff believes giving up confidential information opens him up to vandalism or having trade secrets stolen.

Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports county attorneys are evaluating the lawsuit.

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