ASTA Urges Action on Senator Roberts’ Food Labeling Proposal

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Field Crops, Florida, General, Georgia, Industry News Release, Seeds, Specialty Crops

From the American Seed Trade Association:

astaAlexandria, Va.—February 22, 2016—The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) applauds Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts for his leadership in introducing a commonsense food-labeling proposal to bring consistency and transparency to the marketplace.

“Time is running out for Congress to take action to prevent a patchwork of state food-labeling laws from being enacted,” said ASTA President & CEO Andrew LaVigne. “We applaud Chairman Roberts for putting forth a practical, national solution, and we urge the Senate to pass the proposal as soon as possible.”

Multiple studies have shown that the associated costs with Vermont’s GMO-labeling law and a subsequent patchwork of state laws will cost American families hundreds of dollars more in groceries each year – with low-income Americans being hit the hardest.

Roberts’ proposal would preempt state GMO food and seed labeling efforts and require USDA to set a standard for voluntary on-package disclosures.

“ASTA has long advocated for a uniform, national food-labeling solution based on sound science,” said LaVigne. “Consumers and the food and agriculture community alike deserve consistency and transparency in the marketplace.”