Vermont’s first-in-the-nation GMO food-label law takes effect in 18 days, a deadline that is a central factor in closed-door discussions on federal legislation to supersede it. “Negotiations are ongoing and we’re moving in the right direction,” said an aide to Agriculture Committee chairman Pat Roberts.
Backed by foodmakers and farm groups, Roberts has pushed for federal pre-emption of state label laws, which would keep labeling voluntary on the federal level. Senators defeated that approach in March, with Democrats voting against it. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, the senior Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, has said the quid pro quo for federal pre-emption is mandatory disclosure of GMO ingredients.
Roberts and Stabenow have kept their discussions confidential beyond the occasional comment that provides few details. Pro-label groups insist there must be an explicit label on the package. Foodmakers prefer so-called smart labels, such as QR codes, or use of toll-free phone lines or websites to provide the information.
Ordinarily, the House and Senate need months to pass a bill and send it to the president for signature. Some of the biggest food companies in the United States — Dannon, ConAgra, Kellogg, General Mills, Mars and Campbell Soup — have announced nationwide labeling of their products in advance of the Vermont law.
GMO-label bills faced uncertain futures in the New York and Massachusetts legislatures. In New York, it was up to legislative leaders to decide whether to call a vote on the bills, which were sponsored by a majority of members in both chambers. The legislative session is scheduled to end on Thursday.
Massachusetts state Rep. Ellen Story told reporters she was hopeful of a vote this year on her GMO-label bill but Speaker Robert DeLeo “is noncommital. I’m sorry to say,” said the Berkshire Eagle. The formal legislative session in Massachusetts runs to July 31.