By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) is urging the U.S. Senate to reconsider a bill which would create national standards for GMO labeling.
The U.S. House already passed the measure, but it failed in the Senate by 12 votes. Meanwhile, Vermont has approved a state law on the issue. Davis said a national law is needed before the Vermont law goes into effect on July 1.
“It would be virtually impossible for a national food supply chain to comply with different labeling requirements for products in different states,” Davis said.
Davis spoke on the issue Thursday afternoon at the Illinois Farm Bureau in Bloomington. IFB President Richard Guebert agreed a national standard is needed.
“If each and every state has their own bill that prescribes what manufactures need to have on a label (it) would bring just, basically, utter chaos and confusion,” said Guebert. “And would be a logistic nightmare for the food industry.”
Davis added this is not an issue of food safety, as science shows GMOs in foods are harmless. He said this is an issue that impacts interstate commerce.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
