The following alert was provided by Donna Smith of EK Fernandez Shows.  If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Conley, CFA Animal Welfare Committee Chair, at withanhconley@gmail.com. 

ACTION ALERT

WHAT

We need your help in providing testimony to the Advisory Committee to the Board of Directors of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture Board of Directors.  As always, oral testimony carries more weight.  If you are willing to testify in person, that would be most helpful.  If you would like to have assistance in drafting a written or oral testimony, please contact Jackie.smythe@anthologygroup.com.

 This issue is to oppose the potential rule change of the importation of wild animals for performance and exhibition. (4_71-6 HAR), which was introduced by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which is not a Federal agency or affiliated with local humane societies.  This rule change would stop all wild animals from entering the state of Hawaii for performance or exhibition.  While the primary target is currently EK Fernandez Shows (EKFS), the likelihood of this encompassing Sea Life Park, rodeos, Dolphin Quest and the film industry is expected.  It is important to understand there is no credible reason to support the rule change.  During the 113 years that EKFS has been entertaining the people of Hawaii, its importation of wild animals has never endangered the public or the animals in any way.

WHEN

Please act TODAY. EKFS and many other organizations being targeted need to communicate to the DOA-BOD and advisory committee to oppose this rule change. Therefore, we need you, your employees, your colleagues, and those who may benefit from your services or support to call or appear at the following meetings:  January 15^th at 1:30 p.m. Advisory Committee or January 26^th at 9:00 a.m. BOD meeting.  Both will be held at 1849 Auiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96819.  Please help us deliver the message to and urge these committee and board members to halt this substantial rule change.

ACTION NEEDED

Please call, e-mail or FAX your Department of Agriculture Board of Directors through the board secretary Gail at (ph–808-973-9550, fax-808-973-9613, e-mail – HDOA.Board.testimony@Hawaii.gov) to urge them to stop this rule change immediately.  Please also come to the January 15^th or 26^th meeting to provide verbal testimony.

MESSAGE

Urge the committee and board members to see how this substantial rule change is discriminatory and unwarranted.  Also help them to understand the substantial tax dollars and employment opportunities that will be lost because of this major change to EKFS and other organizations.  Not to mention the fundraising dollars earned at every fair and carnival that will be jeopardized.  For more facts about this issue, please see the attached Fact Sheet.  If you would like assistance with written or verbal testimony, please call Jackie Smythe at 808-371-4366 or email jackie.smythe@anthologygroup.com

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

Names and contact information online at: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/chair/boa/boamembers/