House Ag leaders say GMO bill focuses on labels only
With a floor vote near, the leaders of the House Agriculture Committee say a bill to bar states from requiring labels on foods made with genetically modified foods is targeted in its scope. “The bill … provides pre-emption solely for food use and labeling,” said Agriculture chairman Michael Conaway and the top-ranking Democrat, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, in a blog post. “The pre-emption provision does not delve into areas beyond this – such as cultivation of crops.”
Opponents have charged that HR 1599 would prevent all state or local regulation of GMOs, not just the labeling of food. The updated bill approved by the Agriculture Committee would keep labeling voluntary on the federal level and put the USDA in charge of certifying non-GMO products.
It includes overtures to the organic industry; it would allow organic products automatically to carry the non-GMO seal, for instance, and milk and meat must come from animals fed non-GMO rations to qualify. However, the Organic Trade Association says absent a federal mandate, states should have the power to require labels. By definition, certified organic products are GMO-free.
The House Rules Committee is to meet today to propose a format for debate of HR 1599, including which amendments will be eligible for debate on the floor. Republican leaders have set Thursday as the likely date for debate of the bill, which seems assured of passage. Agri-Pulse said several Democrats submitted amendments to the Rules Committee on Monday that would weaken the bill. Maine Democrat Chellie Pingree suggested that the USDA should be required to compensate farmers for losses due to cross-pollination or seed contamination by GMO crops, or by herbicide drift from a field of GMO plants.
The administration has not taken a position on HR 1599.
At the same time the House is headed toward voluntary labeling of GMO food, the Senate Appropriations Committee would require the FDA to put labels on genetically engineered salmon if it approves the fish for human consumption.