Legislative Alert! GMO Labeling Bill being Voted on in the U.S. House Tomorrow!!!
Its crunch time for the IFCA members voices to be heard on H.R. 1599. H.R.1599 is voluntary GMO labeling bill IFCA supports. It is imperative that IFCA member contacts his or her Representative through Thursday this week and urge a YES vote on H.R. 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. The bill is scheduled to come before the full House on Thursday, and we need every bit of support on this legislation that is so important to maintaining our ability to farm.
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, introduced by Reps. Pompeo of Kansas and Butterfield of North Carolina, would create a uniform, national system governing the premarket review and labeling of genetically engineered foods. As part of this system, the bill would:
- Require developers of genetically engineered plants consult with FDA on all new plant varieties used for genetically engineered food before those foods are introduced into commerce
- Uphold FDA’s authority to specify special labeling if it believes it is necessary to protect health and safety
- Create a legal framework governing the use of label claims regarding either the absence of, or use of, genetically engineered food or food ingredients
- Require FDA to establish standards for the use of the term ‘natural’ on food labels
Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, the bill enables those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so by through a USDA-accredited certification process. IFCA believes this approach, which would label a select subset of products marketed at a premium, makes far more sense than labeling the vast majority of common, everyday products in the grocery store.
Again, we need as many phone calls from IFCA members as possible.
If you have further questions regarding H.R. 1599, please contact KJ at the office(309-827-2774)
Congressional Members contact information
Bobby Rush - 202-225-4372
Robin Kelly - 202-225-0773
Dan Lipinski - 202-225-5701
Luis Gutierrez - 202-225-8203
Mike Quigely - 202-225-4061
Peter Roskam - 202-225-4561
Danny Davis - 202-225-5006
Tammy Duckworth - 202-225-3711
Jan Schakowsky - 202-225-2111
Bob Dold - 202-225-4835
Bill Foster - 202-225-3515
Mike Bost - 202-225-5661
Rodney Davis -202-225-2371
Randy Hultgren 202-225-2976
John Shimkus 202-225-5271
Adam Kinzinger - 202-225-3635
Cheri Bustos - 202-225-5905