Ag Policy Blog

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will weigh in on the debate over biotech labeling laws next week with a hearing over legislation by Rep. Mike Pompeo, a Republican from Kansas.

Major commodity, biotech and food-processing companies have backed Pompeo's bill, which would require FDA to determine whether a label is required for any foods with ingredients from genetically modified crops. Such labels would only be used on any product when FDA determines there might be a health or safety concern.

At the same time, Pompeo's bill would block states from approving their own requirements for labeling food with ingredients from biotech products.

The Coalition for Safe and Affordable food sent a letter to lawmakers in late April signed by 373 groups backing the bill. The groups are trying to stem the growing push for state referendums and efforts in state capitols to require labels for foods with ingredients from genetically modified crops. http://pompeo.house.gov/…

So far, Connecticut, Maine and Vermont have passed biotech labeling laws. Vermont is moving ahead with its mandate while Connecticut and Maine set rules requiring other states to mandate such labels before theirs would go into effect.

House Agriculture Committee leaders and ag lobbyists had wanted Pompeo's bill to move through the Ag Committee, but Pompeo and others sought to keep the bill with the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The two committees worked jointly on a provision that would set up a "GMO-free" labeling certification program through USDA, similar to the current organic certification program.

“Creating a policy of national uniformity regarding marketing claims for agricultural production technologies is a priority for the Agriculture Committee," said Rep. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, chairman of the Ag Committee, in a statement Friday. "A patchwork of arbitrary and inconsistent State and local labeling laws will raise consumer costs and negatively affect our ability to enhance food safety, food quality, and environmental sustainability. Legislation to protect and promote interstate commerce in agricultural products derived through the use and non-use of plant based genetic engineering is of critical importance. As the legislative process continues, I look forward to continuing to receive input from stakeholders and technical assistance from the Department of Agriculture to ensure the final text is correct, workable, and enjoys significant bipartisan support.”

Pompeo's bill has 60 co-sponsors, including 12 Democrats. The hearing will be June 18. So far, a list of witnesses has not been released. https://www.congress.gov/…

CORRECTION: Rep. Stacey Plaskett, one of the co-sponsors, is a delegate representing the Virgin Islands. Rep. Peter Welch represents Vermont and he is not a co-sponsor on the bill. I regret that error.

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com.

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