ICGA STATEMENT THANKING SENATOR KIRK FOR SUPPORTING NATIONAL GMO LABELING LAW

Lindsay Mitchell

Jul 08, 2016  |  Today's News |  ICGA

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.--Jeff Jarboe, a farmer from Loda, Ill., and Illinois Corn Growers Association President, released the following statement following the Senate vote on a genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling bill last night.  The bill would prevent a patchwork of state by state labeling laws.

“Thank you to Senator Kirk for voting in favor of this bill to prevent a patchwork of state by state GMO labeling laws last night!  This is a very much needed measure to make national commerce easier and to prevent one state from dictating the regulations placed on all other states in the nation.

“I was extremely disappointed to see that Senator Durbin voted no on this measure.

“Senator Durbin has voted in favor of science before, so our organization still can’t understand why he is against science in this case.  Scientifically, we have proven that GMO foods are no different than non-GMO foods.  Many medical and scientific organizations stand behind that statement.  Why, then, does Senator Durbin vote against this measure, against science, and for the sometimes irrational emotion of more wealthy Americans that perceive something is wrong with nutritionally sound and affordable food?

“I look forward to a positive vote in the House next week and urge the entire Illinois delegation to look to Senators Stabenow and Roberts instead of Senator Durbin as they consider their positions on this important vote.”

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More info on the impact of Vermont’s law becoming the national standard:

  • Proposals to mandate GMO labeling at the state level are filled with loopholes and exemptions. Under Vermont’s GMO labeling law, vegetable soup would be labeled “genetically engineered” while vegetable beef soup would be exempt because it contains meat, which isn’t covered under the law.
  • As states develop and implement mandatory labeling laws, companies will be forced to create multiple supply chains, warehousing and delivery mechanisms to comply. Because of this, grocery costs for families could increase by as much as $1,050 per year, for a total cost to consumers of $81.9 billion!