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NGFA Urges Swift Approval of Roberts-Stabenow Agreement that Provides a National Biotech Labeling Solution

Source: The National Grain and Feed Association

NGFAThe National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) urged expeditious support for Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow's, D-Michigan, bipartisan legislation that would federally preempt a potential patchwork of differing state laws regarding the labeling of human food and animal feed containing biotechnology-enhanced ingredients.

The NGFA noted the urgency to pass this legislation is tantamount, as July 1 is the effective date of Vermont's mandatory law requiring on-package labels of foods containing ingredients that have been genetically modified. Congressional action is needed to avert major supply chain disruptions and inefficiencies in production, storage, transportation, manufacturing and distribution of food and feed that would translate into significant cost increases for consumers.

NGFA President Randy Gordon urged other senators to join in an expedited effort to approve a final version of the language released today. "We appreciate Sens. Roberts and Stabenow for the efforts they have made in trying to achieve bipartisan consensus on a way forward, but time is of the essence," Gordon said. "We hope both the House and Senate can come together expeditiously to pass a national labeling standard that will prevent harmful disruptions in the nation's supply chain."

This legislation would provide certainty by preempting Vermont's mandatory labeling law in favor of a workable national standard that provides an efficient mechanism for consumers who wish to know more about food products, including the biotech content of food. Easy access to this information will be disclosed on products without forcing other consumers to incur exponential increases in food costs.

The National Academy of Sciences released a report in May that contributed to the strong scientific consensus that modern biotech crops are safe to eat and safe for the environment.

NGFA appreciates the House for taking the lead almost a year ago to provide a voluntary, national labeling solution. With Vermont's law being implemented on July 1, NGFA believes it is vital to come to a bipartisan solution as quickly as possible and without denigrating technology and innovations that have time and time again been scientifically proven safe to consumers.

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