Calls to label genetically modified food have rumbled loudly through the East and West Coast states but have produced only a whimper in the Midwest.
Labeling laws have been signed by governors in Maine, Connecticut and Vermont. Labeling initiatives narrowly fell in California and Washington in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In total, 31 states are considering, have considered or have adopted significant labeling requirements. But the Midwest has yet to see a vote in a state legislature. In 2013, labeling bills in the Midwest were either pulled back or never made it out of committee. Such measures were introduced unsuccessfully in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota.
Few sustained labeling efforts have been mounted in states that are centers of GMO production. Bob Olson from Cooperative Development Services in St. Paul, Minn., thinks he may know why. “I suspect that the Midwest’s perspective differs because we are a hotbed for GMO corn and soybean production,” Olson said. “Subsequently, we have a large industry and traditional agriculture lobby that thinks labeling is costly and unnecessary.”
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