GMO Vote

The American Farm Bureau Federation's Board Of Directors chose to support the Senate's version of GMO labeling recognizing the need to block a patchwork of state laws. Farm Bureau Congressional Relations Dir. Andrew Walmsley says blocking state GMO labeling laws prevents costly and confusing labels in the grocery store. "What the Roberts/Stabenow deal provides from day one is strong preemption from certainty in the marketplace. We saw that as a value and an opportunity to support the legislation." Walmsley says however that the legislation is not perfect. The legislation makes GMO labeling mandatory, a move that Farm Bureau says is unnecessary. "The biggest concern for the Farm Bureau which is not really in line with our policy is the mandatory provisions of the legislation. There is no need in our member's minds to have any of this information mandated. But when weighing both of those we saw the need to protect interstate commerce out weighing some of the concerns over mandatory disclosure." Walmsley says Congress needs to act quickly to limit the impact of Vermont's GMO labeling law on the nation. "For Congress to act not on a perfect solution but at least a solution, it addresses the most near-term and immediate result and is an important compromise. We are urging all our members to help support the deal and get us to 60 votes in the Senate. Then we can turn to the house and hopefully get it off the President's desk before we see too many of the negative impacts of Vermont taking place."