On
Wednesday, The Senate rejected a bill that would have prevented any state from
requiring GMO labels on food.
Calling
the Senate's failure to move forward with debate on a voluntary GMO labeling
bill "inexcusable," American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy
Duvall said farmers will continue their fight to secure a law that supports
consumers, America's farmers and ranchers and our nation's system of
affordable, productive agriculture.
"To
say we are angry with those senators who abandoned farmers and ranchers and
turned their backs on rural America on this vote is an understatement. Their
votes opposing this measure ignored science, threw our nation's food system
into disarray and undermined the public's understanding of the many benefits of
biotechnology in feeding a growing and hungry population," Duvall said in
a statement.
With a
July 1 start-date set for a mandatory GM labeling law in Vermont, passage of a
national voluntary GMO labeling bill is needed immediately. The measure Farm
Bureau was anxious for the Senate to take up this week was offered by Sen. Pat
Roberts (R-Kan.).
Duvall
said farmers are willing to give senators a second chance.
"We
remain hopeful they will have a chance at redemption by correcting this
situation that will otherwise lead to increased food costs for consumers and
stifle agricultural innovation, which remains a strength of our nation. We must
not let anyone forget that rural America and our farmers and ranchers do
matter," he said.
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