If individual states start requiring the mandatory labeling of genetically modified food, it would have a negative impact on agriculture and consumers, according to a representative of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association.
“The cost of farming and food (would) be impacted,” John Hewitt told Idaho lawmakers near the end of the recent legislative session.
Food products grown using GMO technology require fewer pesticides, less water and they keeps production costs down while increasing crop yields, Hewitt said. What happens with the GMO labeling issue will determine the ability of farmers to use modern technology, he added.
He said recent studies show that a mandatory GMO labeling requirement in California would increase costs to that state’s food producers by $1.2 billion a year and it would increase the average family’s grocery bill by more than $400 a year.
Read the full, original article: Grocers say GMO labeling would increase farm costs
