OKFB President Tom Buchanan issues statement on GMO labeling bill

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on S. 2609, the Biotech Labeling Solutions Act, bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee with a 14-6 vote. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan issued the following statement in support.

“Genetically modified crops produce the most abundant, the highest quality, and the most affordable food supply in the world­. They allow farmers to produce greater yields with fewer pesticides, while also providing lower costs to consumers. Oklahoma farmers grow at least five GMO crops including canola, cotton, corn, soybeans and alfalfa.

“Biotechnology, or GMO, labeling is one of the most significant issues the agriculture and food industry has faced in recent years. Across the nation, individual states have begun to implement mandatory GMO labeling, with Vermont being the first. A patchwork of state GMO labeling laws harms interstate commerce, confuses consumers and ultimately, drives up food costs.

“As Oklahoma’s largest general farm organization, we support S. 2609 and its creation of a national uniform standard for voluntary GMO labeling. The legislation will preempt all state GMO labeling laws, preventing consumer confusion and increased food costs.

“We are grateful for the hard work of Sen. Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and have encouraged Oklahoma Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford to support the legislation. We look forward to its passing on the Senate floor.”