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US SENATE OKS COMPROMISE GMO LABELING BILL
Late Thursday night, the Senate gave final approval to a compromise bill creating a national, uniform standard for GMO disclosure. The measure now heads to the House, where it must be approved by July 15 when it recesses until September.The legislation, a compromise from Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, gives food companies three options for disclosing GMO ingredients including an on-package label, a USDA-approved symbol or an electronic code [OKAgPolicy].
TOP HEADLINES
GMO labeling compromise wins Senate OK:
The Senate easily approved an historic compromise on GMO disclosure standards late Thursday, setting up final action in the House to shut down Vermont’s week-old labeling mandate [Agri-Pulse].
Vermont’s newest export is bad GMO policy:
It is wrong to let the baseless fears of certain consumers dictate national food policy. A warning label, however mild, connotes danger, and that unfairly stigmatizes approximately 70% of the packaged food in our grocery stores [LA Times].
Trump assures GOP lawmakers on trade, regulations:
Donald Trump sought to assure congressional Republicans on Thursday that he will pursue new trade deals and that he shares their concerns about government regulations [Agri-Pulse].
Passing TPP will increase US ag income:
A government report on the impact of an Asia-Pacific free trade deal on the United States economy known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement confirms the deal will be good for U.S. agriculture, U.S. businesses and the U.S. economy [High Plains Journal].
Oklahoma’s congressional delegation encouraged after meeting with Trump:
Oklahoma lawmakers said their Capitol Hill meetings with Donald J. Trump on Thursday focused on policy matters and Republican unity for the presidential race [The Oklahoman].
Overseas opportunity: Brexit could produce opening for ranchers:
The impending exit of Britain from the European Union presents the glimmer of opportunity for beef producers, Oklahoma industry representatives said [Journal Record].
Hamilton: Demanding political courage and statesmanship:
The state doesn’t stand a chance of reaching its potential when barely half those eligible to vote do so. It’s past time to closely scrutinize legislative candidates – and to demand political courage and statesmanship, rather than fealty to the powers-that-be [Journal Record].
