KALAMAZOO – The Organic Consumers Association plans to confront Michigan Rep. Fred Upton on Friday about his stand on a bill that would preempt states’ rights to label foods organic – Non Genetically Modified Organism.
The group hopes to meet with Upton on Friday at 1 pm at his Kalamazoo office at 157 South Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 180.His district represents the Southwest corner of Michigan.
Upton, a Republican from St. Joseph, is a Whirlpool heir and one of the wealthiest members of Congress. He also is chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He is a supporter of H.R. 1599, a bill written by Monsanto, the OCA contends.
The bill represents a major victory for the food and chemical industries, which fought and failed in court to stop mandatory GMO labeling. If passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the president, the bill will do what the courts have refused to do: Stop Vermont from implementing a mandatory GMO labeling law next year. Maine and Connecticut also have passed GMO labeling laws that would be thwarted.
It would also prevent food manufacturers from labeling their products GMO-free, unless they use new (weak and inferior) standards developed by the USDA. The bill would also guarantee the FDA never conducts independent, pre-market safety testing on GMO foods.
The Republican-run House is expected to easily pass the labeling bill. Prospects in the GOP-run Senate remain uncertain because of differences in how debate is conducted and mushy Democratic support. It’s unclear whether President Obama, a Democrat, would sign the bill.
Author: Staff Writer
Source: MITechNews.Com
Date: 7/16/2015
