Lindsay Mitchell
Last week, Illinois corn farmers spoke to every member of the Illinois delegation about GMO labeling. Most seem to understand how confusing state by state labeling would be and are in favor of a national labeling law that would allow customers to make more educated food purchasing decisions.
A bill that we believe accomplishes that will hopefully see floor action this week.
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act basically establishes a non-GMO certification similar to the Organic certification already managed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The certification would allow customers the option to buy non-GMO certified foods and feel confident about their food decisions.
Chuck Conner, former United States deputy secretary of Agriculture and current president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, wrote an article in Roll Call this week that you just can’t miss.
“Establishing a 50-state patchwork approach to food labeling would put new, costly burdens on American farmers and manufacturers and will increase the price of groceries. A study by a Cornell University professor found that state GMO labeling mandates would increase grocery costs for a family of four by as much as $500 per year,” he says in the article.
Check it out. And then call your Congressman and ask for his or her support on the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act later this week.
