GMO Labeling Initiatives Defeated

Oregon’s Measure 92 was narrowly defeated meaning that there will be no labeling of GMO products on Oregon’s grocery store shelves. I spoke with Oregon grass seed grower and AgChat Foundation’s First Vice President Marie Bowers Stagg about the results. Although pleased,Bowers Stagg says she wishes the reason behind the defeat had more to do with science.
Stagg: “It didn’t pass because it was a terribly written bill and people understood that it needed to be done on a national level rather than a state level. Then with the legislation session coming up — it will be addressed there too I’m guessing.”
She mentioned that Josphine County’s initiative to ban all use of commercial pesticides was defeated by a large margin. She says that the No on Measure 92 had a strong ag grass roots participation and that these same ag producers are going to have to be diligent as the legislative session begins.
Stagg: “It is just a good thing that we defeated the labeling because that would have just been a nightmare in general and the pesticide ban failed. I do have some optimism though — even though the legislature is heavily Democrat-controlled — there are many Democrats who are willing to listen to farmers, who want listen to farmers and do not want to put us out of business. So we just need to really step up our game in working with them and talking with them, explaining what we do.”
Colorado voters were more decided in their voting down of Proposition 105 which would have labeled GMO food in their state.