Food processors, grocers, farm groups and exporters asked House leaders for speedy passage this week of the GMO-disclosure bill to resolve “one of the most significant issues that the agriculture and food industry has faced in recent years.” The Rules Committee would take the first step toward a vote at a meeting today to set the parameters of debate on the bill, which senators passed last week.
The Senate bill pre-empts state GMO food-labeling laws — the top priority of farm groups and foodmakers — and requires disclosure nationwide of GMO ingredients, through a symbol, a digital code or wording on food packages. Vermont is the only state with a GMO-labeling law in effect at present, and it requires wording on packages. Several of the largest U.S. food companies are labeling products nationwide to assure compliance with the state law.
Because of its large membership and the potential for lengthy discussion, the House agrees on terms of debate before a bill is called for consideration. The Rules Committee writes the “rule” for debate, spelling out points such as how many, if any, amendments can be offered, how long debate will last and who will shepherd the bill on the floor.
If, as expected, the Rules Committee gives the go-ahead today, the House could vote on the debate rule on Wednesday, opening the door for action. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy included the GMO bill among legislation that may be considered during the final three workdays of this week. Congress is scheduled to adjourn Friday for a seven-week summer recess.
“We strongly support S 764 and ask that you schedule floor time and provide expedited consideration of this important and timely legislation,” said a letter to Republican and Democratic leaders that was organized by the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, an industry group. With a 13-page list of supporters of the Senate bill, the letter said conflicting state GMO-labeling laws would be costly and would thwart agricultural biotechnology. Half of U.S. cropland is planted to genetically engineered crops, mostly corn, soybeans and cotton, but also canola and sugar beets.
The House passed a pre-emption bill last summer that also kept labeling voluntary on the federal level. Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo, sponsor of the pre-emption bill, says he supports the Senate bill, written by Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts and Democrat Debbie Stabenow.
Representatives are expected to pass the Roberts-Stabenow bill when it is put to a vote. The Just Label It campaign assumes President Obama will sign the bill into law, and now is focused on the USDA’s implementation of a disclosure system. Pre-emption of the Vermont law would take effect immediately. The USDA would have two years to write disclosure rules. Critics fear that many GMO foods will be exempted from disclosure.