Department of Agriculture

State lawmakers are moving along a bill that would bring a host of biosecurity improvements to the state — but stakeholders feel uneasy about a provision that could have a significant impact on the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council.

The Hawaiʻi County Council has adopted a measure asking the state Agriculture and Health departments to work with farmers as they respond to the contagious avian flu.

A “landmark” biosecurity bill provided the state Department of Agriculture with $10 million to tackle invasive species in Hawaiʻi. But less than 15% of it has been spent so far. HPR's Mark Ladao has more about what that could mean.

Lawmakers grilled the state agriculture department for its management of a $10 million fund it received last year for biosecurity. In an informational briefing last week, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole noted that the department has only spent about $1 million of that funding so far.

Hawaiʻi's Agriculture Department is asking state lawmakers for an additional $28 million in general funds over the next two years. HPR's Mark Ladao reports on the department's top priorities and what the money will go towards.

The state Department of Agriculture was called before the Senate on Tuesday afternoon to discuss its budget. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports on the department's biosecurity budget wishlist.

In response to the detection of the avian flu virus in Hawaiʻi, state agencies are asking the public to hold off on moving poultry and other bird species between islands for the next three months.

The source of avian flu is believed to be from a backyard bird sanctuary in Wahiawā. The Conversation talked to Susan Wilkinson, the founder of the sanctuary, about the timeline of events.

A group of key state lawmakers and staff, including those from the state Department of Agriculture, visited New Zealand in September to learn more about how the island nation prevents and manages invasive species.

Following the outcome of the presidential election, there could be a push to pass a new federal Farm Bill before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Hawaiʻi U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, who sits on the U.S. House on Agriculture, said even Republican lawmakers in agriculture are motivated to get the bill passed.