Legislation to create a mandatory, national system for GMO labeling cleared another hurdle today, as the U.S Senate voted 65-32 to move to final debate.
The legislation, a compromise bill by Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, will require food companies to disclose products containing genetically modified ingredients through an on-package statement, USDA-created symbol or an electronic code.
“I’m pleased with the outcome of today’s cloture vote,” Roberts said. “This clears the pathway for a final vote on passage, and I remain optimistic sound science and affordable food will prevail. Both farmers and consumers deserve this certainty.”
Oklahoma Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford both voted in favor of the legislation.
More than 1,000 food and agricultural interests support the legislation including Oklahoma Farm Bureau, American Farmers and Ranchers, the Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council and others.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service will be charged with developing disclosure rules. Restaurants and small food manufacturers will be exempt from the rules, along with meat and dairy products from animals fed GMO feed.
A final vote on the legislation, expected as early as Thursday evening, only requires a simple majority. If passed through the Senate, the bill must run through the House for final approval.
WATCH SENATE AGRICULTURE CHAIRMAN PAT ROBERTS REMARKS ON SENATE FLOOR HERE:
