Members of congress, farmers and businesses await response from president
When polled, 93 percent of the American public said they supported the labeling of genetically engineered food and ingredients. Sixty-four countries already have GMO labeling standards. (Image: Center for Food Safety)A morning press conference offered a beacon of hope for farmers and activists on Capitol Hill today as members of Congress and 200 organizations demanded Obama fulfill his 2007 campaign promises to label GMOs.
The appeal had added urgency after the USDA recently published its initial recommendation to deregulate
Dow Chemical's 2,4-D resistant corn and soybeans. Perhaps the most
pernicious GMO crops yet, 2,4-D crops threaten to severely increase the
spraying of 2,4-D, a component in the Vietnam era defoliant, "Agent
Orange.""Right-to-Know Act" sponsor, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), food and nutrition champion Rep. Rosa Delauro (D-CT), organic farmer Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) gave remarks together with Center for Food Safety, Environmental Working Group and organic food industry leader, Gary Hirschberg of Stonyfield Farms.
"We need the federal government to step up. People across the U.S deserve labeling," said Rep. Kuster. "It's all about the consumer's right to know," Rep. DeFazio explained. "I'm fed up with voluntary initiatives. We need mandatory labeling," added Rep. DeLauro.
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