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GMO labeling bill vote expected later today

A final vote on the Senate’s GMO labeling bill is expected to take place later today. The bill would preempt state laws requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods and establish a federal mandatory disclosure system.

On the Senate floor this morning, Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy criticized the bill, saying it doesn’t reflect consumer wishes.  He said a survey showed nine out of 10 consumers support a mandatory GMO label.

“What this bill does not recognize is that 64 countries around the world mandate GE labeling,” Leahy said. “This bill does not benefit from a thorough, open, constructive debate—but it apparently has benefited by millions and millions of dollars of lobbying and campaign contributions.”

North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp urged Senators to support the Roberts/Stabenow compromise bill.

“I think that it achieves that label and it achieves that access and it does this:  It tells every consumer in the entire country that they will have access to this information instead of one small state of Vermont,” Heitkamp said.

The bill passed a key test Wednesday when the Senate voted 65 to 32 to limit debate on the bill.  The final vote on the bill will require just a simple majority to pass, which would send it to the House for final approval.

Time is short for the House to consider the measure before both chambers break at the end of next week and won’t return until September.