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 The law, set to take effect July 1, 2016, would for
the first time align at least a small part of the United States with
more than 60 other countries that require labeling of genetically
engineered foods. And it sets the stage for more than two dozen
other states that are currently considering mandatory labeling of
such GMO foods.
"Vermonters will have the right to know what's in their food,"
Shumlin told cheering supporters in a speech on the state House
steps. "We are pro-information. Vermont gets it right with this
bill."
Shumlin said the state had set up a "food fight fund" to take online
donations to help defend the law from litigation expected to be
filed by food industry interests to block the law.
Consumer groups and lawmakers supporting such mandatory labeling say
there is no scientific consensus on whether or not genetically
engineered crops are safe, and consumers should be able to easily
distinguish products containing GMOs so they can avoid them if they
wish.
 The consumer sentiment has pushed a growing number of U.S. food
companies to start using non-genetically modified ingredients for
their products because of the consumer backlash against GMOs.
But the food and agriculture industries, including the makers of
genetically modified corn, soybeans, canola and other crops widely
used in packaged foods, are fighting mandatory labeling of GMOs.
They say their products are proven safe, and that such labels will
imply they are unsafe, confusing consumers and increasing costs for
consumers as well as farmers and food companies.
“Scientific bodies and regulatory officials around the world
recognize that foods made from genetically modified (GM) crops are
as safe as their non-GM counterparts," said Cathleen Enright,
executive vice president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization
(BIO). "GM crops have enabled farmers to produce more on less land
with fewer pesticide applications, less water and reduced on-farm
fuel use."
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BIO, a trade group whose members include Monsanto Co, Dow
AgroSciences, a unit of Dow Chemical Co, and other biotech seed
companies said food costs for an average household would rise as
$400 per year due to mandatory labeling.
BIO and the Grocery Manufacturers Association are backing a proposed
federal law that would nullify Vermont's labeling law and any other
mandatory labeling of GMOs in the United States.
Both sides of the debate claims science supports their views. Last
October, a group of 93 international scientists said there was a
lack of empirical and scientific evidence to support what they said
were false claims by the biotech industry about a "consensus" on
safety. It said more independent research is needed and studies
showing safety tend to be funded and backed by the biotech industry.
(Reporting by Carey Gillam in Kansas City; Editing by Marguerita
Choy)
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