News

Clock ticking on GMO labeling issue

Time is running out for Congress to come up with a GMO labeling solution before Vermont’s mandatory law goes into effect on July 1st.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, says he hasn’t heard anything new on the issue.

“I have seen no breakthrough that would give me any indication something could happen,” Grassley says. “But sometimes when you’re up to a deadline, that helps to get things done.”

Grassley, who is a Republican, says anti-GMO groups have adopted a “no-compromise” stance on GMO labeling.

“GMO usage is a very emotional issue with those people—and there is a feeling that some prominent members of the other political party that are involved in this issue probably got in deeper with that fringe element to where it’s difficult to get out,” he says.

According to Politico, Senate Ag Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow said late Monday that she and committee chair Pat Roberts are “narrowing the issues” surrounding GMO labeling and are “close” to reaching a deal—but have not shared a draft in the Senate.