GMO
Sorting grain from chaff in GMO food debate
An article in The Guardian turns a skeptical eye to arguments against genetically engineered foods and the advocacy groups that present them. "The reason is that advocacy groups - no matter what the issue - are not immune to pressures like other social institutions...the arguments of NGOs should be subjected to the skepticism and fact-checking that is brought to bear on the claims made by business or government," says the article.
GMO-label group on track with Colorado petitions
Proponents of a referendum in Colorado to require labels on foods made with genetically modified organisms say they will have enough signatures to put the question on the November election ballot. The Colorado Statesman says the Right to Know initiative must submit 86,105 valid signatures by Aug 4; the group says it already has 90,000 signatures.
Clinton supports biotech crops, gives image advice
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton "expressed enthusiasm for biotech seeds" and suggested the industry should stress the benefits of the crops, such as drought resistance, rather than the umbrella description...
Oregonians favor GMO labels, says poll
Voters in Oregon agree by a 3-to-1 margin that foods made with genetically modified organisms should be labeled, says a poll commissioned by a Portland television station.
China blocks import of US corn byproduct on GMO grounds
Chinese quarantine officials are barring imports of distillers dried grains from the United States because they may contain a genetically modified organism that is not approved by China, said Reuters.
Oregon vote on GMO crops “deepened a cultural chasm”
Passage of a referendum that bans GMO crops in Jackson County, Ore, "deepened a cultural chasm in the greater Rogue Valley" over the direction of agriculture, says the Portland Oregonian. Opponents say the ban threatens their livelihoods and blame newcomer organic farmers.
California Senate may vote on GMO label bill this week
A bill to require labels on food containing GMOs was approved the a California Senate committee and could be called for a floor vote this week, says the Lake County News. State Sen. Noreen Evans said the bill, SB1381, is a response to consumer demand to know what is in food.
Governor signs Vermont GMO labeling law
Gov Peter Shumlin signed the first-in-the-nation state law requiring labels on foods made with genetically engineered ingredients. The law takes effect on July 1, 2016, and a court challenge is expected from foodmakers and seed companies.
No scientific need to label GMO food, says think tank
A panel of scientists reviewed the arguments over labeling genetically engineered foods and concluded, "There is no science-based reason to single out GE foods and feeds for mandatory process-based labeling...
Vermont legislature approves GMO labeling law
The Vermont House overwhelmingly passed a law requiring labels on food made with genetically engineered ingredients and sent it to the governor, who is expected to sign it.
Obama – biotech is essential component for agriculture
President Obama says agricultural biotechnology is an important element in feeding the world and adapting to climate change. In a letter to the granddaughter of Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, the president said...
Vermont Senate passes GMO food labeling bill
Vermont state senators passed, 28-2, a bill to require labels on foods made with genetically modified organisms and sold at retail - one of the final steps toward the first such state law.
Vermont on the way to first state GMO labeling law
The Vermont state Senate voted 26-2 for a bill that requires labels on food made with genetically modified ingredients from July 2016.
Activists say Pompeo bill won’t stop GMO labeling drive
Advocates of mandatory labeling of foods made with GMO ingredients say they are not deterred by a U.S. House bill that would keep labeling voluntary and would pre-empt states from enacting labeling laws.
Pompeo, Butterfield unveil GMO pre-emption bill
Reps Mike Pompeo of Kansas and GK Butterfield of North Carolina will unveil a bill today to set a federal standard for labeling genetically engineered foods and block states from adopting labeling laws of their own.
GMO labeling bill finds a House sponsor
Kansas Rep Mike Pompeo will sponsor a bill backed by foodmakers to pre-empt state labeling law on genetically modified food, Politico says.
Opposite sides of the GMO street
1. Environmental Working Group produces a GMO-free food guide. In a nutshell, it says, buy organic or verified GMO-free foods and steer away from food made with corn, soybeans, sugar and vegetable oils because most of the US supply comes from biotech crops.
GM crops grown on 55 percent of U.S. cropland, says USDA
Farmer adoption of genetically modified crop varieties is spreading beyond the well-known dominance of the major field crops of corn, soybeans, and cotton, said a USDA report. When lesser-known GM crops such as canola, potatoes, and apples are counted, about 55 percent of U.S. cropland is planted to GM varieties, said the Economic Research Service report.