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[B]iotech industry representatives headed to Capitol Hill [April 12], [and] GMO labeling was top of mind. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s fly-in comes as Senate Agriculture Committee leaders try to reach a deal on how best to block Vermont’s GMO labeling law from taking effect July 1. With Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) determined to avoid on-package disclosures and ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) pushing for more information for consumers, it’s unclear if there is middle ground to be had.But the wild card in the negotiations could be if Roberts can get enough farm state Democrats to sign onto his bill to have it clear the 60-vote threshold needed for consideration on the floor. When the measure went to the floor in March, three Democrats — Sens. Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Tom Carper (Del.) and Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) — lent their support. Now Roberts just needs ag groups to make the case.
“I think if enough pressure is put on those folks, about 10-15 Democrats who also represent agriculture, that’d be the best thing we could do,” Roberts told AgriTalk radio last week. Now to see how convincing BIO can be.
Tick tock: It’s just 80 days until Vermont’s law takes effect.
Read full, original post: Roberts calls for GMO labeling pressure as BIO flies in
