Jun 23, 2016

June 23, 2016 – ARLINGTON, VA – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) issued the following statement from FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin on today’s Senate agreement on a national standard for GMO labeling. Sarasin said:

"FMI strongly supports the bipartisan agreement between Senate Agriculture Chairman Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) on biotechnology labeling, and we urge senators to promptly vote in favor of the compromise.

"FMI commends the bipartisan Roberts-Stabenow agreement on biotechnology labeling and hopes that all senators will vote in favor of the compromise. A national standard for GMO labeling is essential if we are to avoid the economic costs incurred by a patchwork of differing state laws. By preventing this patchwork, the Roberts-Stabenow agreement will avoid greater consumer confusion, allow efficiency, and enable the industry to proceed in a more orderly and reasonable fashion to provide consumers the information they want. We and the 800 other Coalition for Safe Affordable Food member organizations nationwide stand ready to do all we can to work for rapid passage of the agreement."

"The House of Representatives has already adjourned until July 5, after the Vermont law goes into effect, but swift action by both chambers will prevent unnecessary confusion for consumers and the many stakeholders throughout the food supply chain."