RFA Ethanol Podcast

Senate Advances #GMO Labeling Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

monsanto-moneyNot intimidated by anti-GMO activists throwing $2000 in “Monsanto Money” on the floor, the U.S. Senate Wednesday voted 65-31 to limit debate on a bipartisan National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard that would preempt individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. With cloture invoked, the Senate is expected vote on final passage as early as today.

“This clears the pathway for a final vote on passage, and I remain optimistic sound science and affordable food will prevail,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS). “Both farmers and consumers deserve this certainty.”

roberts-gmoDuring his floor speech on the legislation, Roberts stressed the importance and safety of crops developed through biotechnology. “Over the past 20 years, agriculture biotechnology has become an invaluable tool in ensuring the success of the American farmer in meeting the challenge of increasing yield in a more efficient, safe and responsible manner,” Roberts said.

Listen to the senator’s comments on the floor Wednesday. Sen. Roberts floor speech on labeling bill

Food and agricultural organizations were quick to praise the Senate action and call for passage of the bill.
American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall says the Senate did the right thing in moving the bill forward. “The legislation is not perfect, but it does take critical steps to prevent a confusing 50-state patchwork of laws disclosing the presence of entirely harmless ingredients,” said Duvall.

“The legislation is a common sense, practical solution to prevent the consequences of a costly and confusing patchwork of state food-labeling laws, like we’ve already seen set into motion in Vermont,” said American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) president and CEO Andy LaVigne.

“The Roberts-Stabenow agreement brings consistency to the marketplace, ensuring that consumers have the access to product information they deserve without stigmatizing this safe, proven, technology valued by American farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling.

The protesters who threw money on the Senate floor were organized by the Organic Consumers Association and accused the lawmakers of taking money from Monsanto instead of “listening to the people.”

AFBF, ASTA, Audio, Biotech, Corn, Food