After months of negotiations, a compromise bill for the disclosure of genetically modified food ingredients is headed to President Obama’s desk.
The House today gave final congressional approval to a Senate-passed compromise by Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow. The legislation requires food manufacturers to disclose genetically modified ingredients via an on-package label, symbol or electronic code as regulated by the USDA.
“I’m pleased that members of the House today sided with sound science and the American farmer,” said Roberts, co-author of the bill.
A group of more than 1,100 agriculture and food organizations and companies supported the measure’s passage through both the Senate and the House.
“The strong and unified support for our bill among these agriculture groups proves that we put forward a sound solution to biotechnology disclosure, but most important, it shows what can be accomplished for farmers when agriculture speaks with one voice,” Roberts said. At a time when agriculture biotechnology is fulfilling an increasingly critical role meeting world demand for food, agriculture must speak with one voice to confront misinformation about its practices and operations.”
The legislation was in response to a Vermont law requiring the labeling of food with genetically modified ingredients. The law, which took effect July 1, forced many major food companies to either adjust labels or remove products from the state.
“Averting a confusing patchwork of state labeling mandates serves the American economy, farmers and ranchers, and consumers well,” Roberts said. “I am confident we have put forward a comprehensive solution that considers all aspects of our food production and delivery system while keeping the consumer top of mind.”
The Senate sent the legislation to the House by a vote of 63-30, and the House approved it by a vote of 306-117. The White House has reportedly confirmed President Obama will sign the legislation into law.
The measure was supported by Oklahoma Reps. Tom Cole, Frank Lucas, Markwayne Mullin and Steve Russell, along with Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford.
Once the law is approved by President Obama, the USDA will have two years to create specific rules that include defining biotechnology and setting thresholds for “small” and “very small” food manufacturers exempt from disclosure. The USDA also must survey consumers regarding the ease of use of electronic codes.
