Smith Statement on GMO Labeling Compromise Bill

Statement

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement today after voting in favor of S. 764, a bipartisan GMO labeling compromise bill. This legislation preempts Vermont's labeling law, which took effect on July 1.

"The potential impacts of Vermont's mandatory GMO labeling law on Nebraska agriculture and our country's food supply have concerned me deeply. A mandatory label hurts the poorest among us the most by unnecessarily raising the cost of food. The voluntary labeling bill passed by the House last year, of which I was a cosponsor, would have preempted the Vermont law while avoiding higher food prices by allowing the market to dictate what should be labeled.

"The bill before us now is a compromise labeling agreement. It is a less favorable option than the House's original legislation, but I believe it is better than doing nothing and allowing a costly patchwork of unscientific local and state labeling laws to take effect.

"Numerous agriculture stakeholders in the Third District contacted me about their support for this agreement, finding it better than the alternative. To bring certainty to producers and consumers throughout the country, I supported this legislation and will continue working to bring greater awareness to the safety and benefits of biotechnology."

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