A GMO food labeling/disclosure bill is up for Senate debate and vote this week. A compromise deal was close at hand based on bipartisan talks last week.
The underlying bill (S 2609) would preempt several proposed or enacted state laws mandating that food producers place labels on GMO foods. The Senate Ag Committee approved the measure March 1 with three Democrats voting for the measure. Some Senate Democrats oppose the voluntary system and instead are pushing for a nationwide mandatory labeling/disclosure program.
A compromise deal could involve creating a voluntary system with a trigger that would implement mandatory labeling rules under certain conditions. Democrats largely use the phrase “mandatory labeling” in presenting their position whereas Republicans use the word “disclosure” in commenting on the topic, with some murky regarding whether disclosure is mandatory or voluntary or how long they may have to provide information to consumers.
Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., says there’s an effort to make sure consumers have the information they want. “But at the same time making sure farmers have the ability to feed the world,” he says. “That’s where the discussion is and we’re trying to find that sweet spot. Where it works.” Donnelly says improvements need to be made to the current bill to find a solution that works for both consumers and producers.
A Vermont law slated to take effect July 1 requires the food industry to identify on the product label if the product contains a genetically modified organism (GMO). It’s estimated that today nearly 70% of all food products are made with at least one ingredient from a biotech crop.
More than 10 states have passed similar laws to Vermont but several of these states put a clause in their bills that they would not go into effect unless Vermont’s bill goes in to effect.
Those opposed to labeling requirements have criticized Vermont’s rules as inconsistent. For example, if a food product without meat has GMOs in it, the product must be labeled as containing the organisms. However, if the same product has meat in it, then the label isn’t required because the state’s law doesn’t require a label for meat products.