GMO Food Labeling Supporters Push for Compromise This Week in Senate

NOTE: This column is copyrighted material; therefore reproduction or retransmission is prohibited under U.S. copyright laws.

Efforts to have the Senate reach a compromise on a GMO food labeling bill have picked up significantly, with supporters saying a deal must be reached this week.

Randy Russell spearheads the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food, a group that includes 54 national and trade associations, and a group that represents the entire food chain, from producers, inputs, food manufacturers and retailers.

Russell said, “It is absolutely essential that the Senate Ag Committee leadership reach an agreement this week on the biotech labeling bill. A deal is within reach, but the clock is ticking. There is no more time, and compromise must be at hand. I am confident that a compromise reached by Ag Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) will get 60 votes in the Senate and be cleared by the House. But time is of the essence and a deal has to be reached this week.”

Comments: Russell and his firm, The Russell Group, is one of the most astute ag and food industry lobbyists in Washington, D.C., so his comments about the timing of the Senate action and his predictions that votes will be enough in the Senate and House are newsworthy.

NOTE: This column is copyrighted material; therefore reproduction or retransmission is prohibited under U.S. copyright laws.