Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bill Targeting GMO Labeling Requirements Dies On Senate Floor
A bill that would prevent states from requiring food labels to note the presence of genetically engineered ingredients failed to pass the Senate on Wednesday. Republicans in Congress, led in the Senate by Pat Roberts of Kansas, had been scrambling to come up with a bill that would head off mandatory labeling in Vermont, which goes into effect on July 1. Many food companies have already gotten approval for the language they will use on packaging there, but they worry that other states will pass similar laws, creating a patchwork of requirements that will add to the cost of compliance. (Strom, 3/16)
The procedural vote is a setback for many big players in the food industry who had lobbied to block Vermont’s law. The industry argues that genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are safe and the labels could be costly for agriculture, food companies and consumers. Congressional Republicans have opposed a patchwork of state laws and worked to find a solution on the issue before Vermont’s law kicks in. The food industry says about 75 percent to 80 percent of foods contain genetically modified ingredients. (3/16)
A closely divided Senate may revisit legislation to bar states from imposing mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods after lawmakers on Wednesday rejected a procedural move to limit debate and advance the measure. The amendment attached to an unrelated bill (S 764) sought to block states from writing mandatory labeling laws and establish a federal voluntary labeling process created and administered by the Agriculture Department. (Ferguson, 3/16)
Vermont's law requiring most genetically modified food to be labeled as such remains on schedule to take effect July 1, after the U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted not to advance a bill that would have blocked such state laws. On a 48-49 procedural vote — short of the 60 votes needed for passage — the Senate decided not to go ahead with legislation similar to a bill passed by the U.S. House last year. The decision was hailed by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy and Gov. Peter Shumlin, both Democrats, and independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. It was sharply criticized by industry groups, which vowed to continue fighting for the legislation and are also seeking to have Vermont's law overturned in Federal court. (Gram, 3/16)
