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Michigan Soybean Backs Roberts-Stabenow Compromise
Michigan Ag Connection - 06/27/2016

The Michigan Soybean Association (MSA) signaled its strong support for legislation from Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) that would set a national standard for the labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients, or GMOs.

"This package has been in the works for a long time, and we're happy to see it introduced," said Michigan Soybean Association President Dave Williams of Elsie. "Michigan soybean farmers absolutely support this bill and we call on the Senate to pass it as soon as possible. Additionally, we as Michigan soybean farmers thank Senator Stabenow for her hard work and dedication to moving this legislation forward."

Senator Stabenow describes the measure as "fair to all parts of agriculture," and goes on to say, "this is a compromise that achieves everything we were trying to do for consumer confidence, exempting feed, preempting states and not disparaging GMOs."

The bill would establish a national standard of mandatory disclosure through a variety of options, including quick-response (QR) codes, 800-numbers, websites and on-pack labeling, such that companies would be able to select the method of disclosure that works best for their range of products.

By setting a national mandatory standard, the bill would preempt state labeling laws, and in doing so prevent a patchwork of differing standards between states. Also, and perhaps most importantly for the nation's soybean farmers, the establishment of the national standard removes the stigmatization that comes with explicit language on products.

"We've seen time and time again that regardless of the repeated proven safety of GMOs, consumers react negatively when presented with a product containing a warning label," said Williams. "If consumers panic and run from these products based on false stigmatization, companies are forced to reformulate away from this safe and affordable technology. Not only would this result in more expensive food for consumers, but prices for soybean farmers would fall sharply."

The legislation is the product of a full year of discussions and negotiations between Republicans and Democrats, a point MSA says illustrates the bipartisan compromise of the package, a key reason for the association's support.

"We get nothing from a ceremonial effort," said Williams. "What we need is a piece of legislation that can pass, and in today's Congress, that means a bipartisan compromise. The Chairman and the Ranking Member have a comprehensive bill that both Republicans and Democrats can support and we call on Senator Moran and Senator Peters to back this bill as well."

It is anticipated that the bill will come to the Senate floor for a vote this week.


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