The Maui, Hawaii County is facing a lawsuit from two leading developers of genetically modified corn after enacting a new law preventing the cultivation of genetically modified organisms in the area.
Dow Chemical Co. and Monsanto Co. filed the lawsuit in federal court in Honolulu Hawaii asking the judge not to push through with the law.
It also seeks to invalidate the new law, which voters narrowly adopted during last week's election after an intense campaign featuring $8 million in spending by the seed companies against the initiative.
Dow Chemical and Monsanto are currently doing research to create new varieties of corn in Maui, where the warm weather encourages seed companies to grow more crop cycles every year.
Aside from that, both companies are taking advantage of working in a U.S. state to protect their intellectual property.
According to the lawsuit, putting a stop to GMO cultivation in the area would put the 465 people working for both companies to lose their jobs.
Seed company employees, local businesses and farm bureau joined the two companies in filing against the law that imposes a moratorium on growing GMO crops until scientific studies are done on their benefits and safety.
"This local referendum interferes with and conflicts with long-established state and federal laws that support both the safety and lawful cultivation of GMO plants," John Purcell, Monsanto Hawaii's business and technology lead, said in a statement.
The case, which is now under the hands and jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren. Earlier this year, Kurren invalidated a Kauai County law regulating genetically modified crops because it goes against state law.
Monsanto, along with other seed companies, researches crops on Oahu. Other seed companies conduct research at farms on Kauai.
About 90 percent of all corn grown in the U.S. is genetically engineered and part of that was grown in Hawaii farms.
Thursday's lawsuit said "a significant percentage of the corn seed planted in the U.S. have originated from Monsanto's facilities in the county."
