A Wyoming proposal would ask the federal government to take the lead on creating a national GMO labeling policy, if lawmakers can pass the resolution.
The proposal is up for a vote by the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee on Sept. 14 in Afton, Wyo.
The proposal states, “a national solution is needed that will protect consumers by eliminating confusion, advancing food safety and providing for the free trade of commerce among states.”
If the panel approves the proposal, it will be a committee-sponsored resolution for the full legislature to consider when the 2016 session begins in February.
Multiple states over the past few years have tried to pass state-centric bills that would have required GMO products to be labeled in food that enters that state. Food manufacturers have been reluctant to comply and say trying to meet different regulations for each state’s labeling would be nearly impossible.
Pressure has been building on Congress to pass a national GMO labeling policy. Earlier this year, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 was introduced. This bill would provide for a voluntary labeling standard, but asks the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create consistent safety requirements for new plant varieties used for genetically engineered food before those foods are introduced into commerce. It would also direct the FDA to provide a definition for "natural" claims on product labels.
This bill was introduced into House Reps. Mike Pompeo, (R-Kan.) and G.K. Butterfield, (D-N.C.).
Source: www.agprofessional.com