Advocates for genetically modified food labeling are not dwelling on recent losses in California and Washington. Instead they are moving on to the next battleground state-Oregon.
Oregon advocates are moving forward with a couple of GMO labeling initiatives for the 2014 general election.
Oregon is not the only state pushing ahead with GMO labeling bills. Hawaii's Kauai County Council voted on Saturday to override the mayor's veto of its GMO bill. But lawmakers in New York are also looking to offer a bill on GM labeling soon. So, far only Connecticut and Maine have passed legislation, but their bills won't take effect until other states approve similar bills.
"We expect to see legislative proposals around the country, and we will continue to work to educate and engage with legislators," said Louis Finkel, executive vice president for government affairs at the Grocery Manufacturers Association. This organization wants a national standard to be set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The Oregon measure is already being challenged. Oregonians for Food and Shelter has sued the state challenging the ballot title of one of the initiatives and the constitutionality of the other measure. The group claims to "protect those who responsibly use pest-management products, soil nutrients and biotechnology from government over-regulation."
Source: www.agprofessional.com