Oregon

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.