Will Vermont GMO Law Change Other States?

The state house and senate in Vermont have passed a law requiring labeling of food products containing genetically modified foods.

Governor Pete Shumlin told the press he will sign the measure.

He tweeted, “The Leg. has spoken: #Vt’ers deserve to know what is in their food. I agree and look forward to signing the #GMO labeling bill into law.”

This will make the Green Mountain state the first to require labeling of GMO’s.

The new regulations will require food manufacturers to clearly mark any products containing genetically-modified ingredients.

Kim Crosby, owner of specialty food company Vermont Roots, said, “Financially, this will end up putting a lot of small businesses out of business.”

Across the nation 63 similar GMO labeling bills are being considered in 23 states. Successful passage in Vermont could encourage supporters and legislatures in other states to adopt similar disclosure regulations.

Will Allen, an organic farmer from Fairlee, Vermont, expressed his support, saying “Vermont’s always first.”

This first-in-the-nation law was passed by the statehouse on a vote of 114 to 30, and the senate approved the bill, by 26 to two.

Farmers have selectively bred plants and animals for centuries to accentuate positive characteristics. Genetically modified foods have their genetic codes changed by genes from other species. These foods first started appearing in the 1990′s. Corporations manufacturing the products claim the law will require labeling 70 to 80 percent of items on grocery store shelves.

Governor Shumlin expects a lawsuit against the state, brought by manufacturers, claiming the move will raise their costs.

In the early 1980′s, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture required food producers to adhere to higher standards of hygiene than other states. Manufacturers claimed they would go out of business due to the increased expense. Instead, most producers adopted the higher standards for products meant for other states.

Vermont could trigger a wave of GMO regulations in other states, or food producers may just label all their products, as they did over 30 years ago.

https://twitter.com/GovPeterShumlin/status/459048438618148864

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/vermont-to-become-1st-state-with-gmo-labeling

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/04/24/genetically-modified-foods-bill/8094925

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/ci_25378269/measure-require-gmo-labeling-advances-mass-

statehouse

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/306/why-is-reg-dept-penna-agr-on-so-many-labels