GMO labeling

The Senate may be settling for pushing through a mandatory GMO labeling bill, but in the form of “mandatory disclosure.” An industry lobbyist says that Senate Agriculture Leaders are moving towards a proposal favored by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, requiring the use of “smart labels” and banning state labeling laws...

While the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday passed a GMO labeling bill by Chairman Pat Roberts, the bill faces an uphill battle in the full Senate. Ranking Committee Democrat, Debbie Stabenow does not support the bill, and other Democrats in the full Senate may follow Stabenow’s lead...

A new study says the European Union 2050 climate targets could mean eating 50 percent less beef, but the same levels of pork and chicken. A study published this month in the journal Food Policy said: “these developments could cut current food-related methane and nitrous oxide emissions by nearly 50 percent...

The Senate Agriculture Committee will markup Chairman Pat Roberts GMO labeling bill Thursday. Roberts released a draft of the bill last week that drew applause from many agriculture groups. However, it’s unclear if Democrats will be able to ignore pressure from pro-labeling groups unhappy with the measure...

USDA is stockpiling up to 500 million doses of a new vaccine against avian influenza, yet many in the $48 billion poultry industry don’t want it. The National Chicken Council’s Ashley Peterson said “as soon as you vaccinate any bird, you are telling the world bird flu is endemic, and countries are going to stop buying from us, some of them for years...

Lawmakers are back in town this week to kick off the second session of the 114th Congress.While this isn't the biggest week for food and ag issues on Capitol Hill, things might not stay quiet for long. Senate Agriculture Committee leaders have said they want to take action on a child nutrition reauthorization and GMO labeling...

The food industry may be pushing hard for lawmakers to address GMO labeling in the omnibus, but Sen. Debbie Stabenow says that such a rider is unlikely to get the support companies are hoping for. Stabenow said. "I think this is very controversial so it would be a difficult thing to get done...

One hundred twenty-five food company executives and agriculture industry officials - all members of the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food - converged on the Senate office buildings yesterday to encourage lawmakers to sign on to a bill being drafted by Sen...

A bill that would make GMO labeling voluntary passed the U.S. House last Thursday. The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act would require developers of genetically engineered plants to obtain FDA safety clearance on all new plant varieties before those foods are introduced into commerce; uphold FDA’s authority to specify special labeling if it finds a health or safety risk is posed by such a variet

During the Organic Trade Association luncheon last week - Montana Senator and organic farmer Jon Tester said advocates would have to work hard to achieve labeling of genetically modified foods. Tester says more farmers would transition to organic if land-grant colleges paid more attention to organics...