The recent signing of the food-labeling bill by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is unfortunate on many levels. Gov. Shumlin had a chance to show real leadership before making the decision to sign the bill into law, mandating labels for foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). He chose to act rashly, failing to seriously consider the consequences and impact on all Vermonters and visitors. By signing the law he has jeopardized the livelihood of Vermont’s small businesses, dairy farmers, food manufacturers, retailers and most importantly consumers.
The law is scheduled to go into effect in 2016. Ironically the governor could have wisely decided to sign the bill after a one-year moratorium, and then let the national debate play out in Washington, allowing the issue to be researched and better understood. Instead the governor, lawmakers and consumers were swayed by scare-mongering tactics rather than good scientific fact-based arguments.
If lawmakers had taken the time to do due diligence in their research, they would know GMOs are not ingredients in foods. They are part of the food manufacturing process. That’s true for corn grown for cows to eat, or corn syrup or canola oil used for producing and cooking foods we all have been consuming for many years now.
In the quest to take the lead, and pass and sign the mandatory labeling law that has no safety triggers or rational compromise, Vermont lawmakers showed a lack of leadership that may have very costly legal and food cost repercussions in the future.
Read the full, original article: Vermont Acting Rashly on GMO Labeling
