Jul 6, 2016

July 6, 2016 – ARLINGTON, VA – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) issued the following statement from FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin applauding the U.S. Senate’s vote to invoke cloture and move forward with its consideration of the biotechnology labeling bill championed by Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Sarasin said:

“FMI commends the Senate’s action, which clears the procedural path for an important vote on final passage of the bipartisan Roberts-Stabenow legislation on genetically modified food labeling later this week. We commend those 65 Senators voting in favor of moving this time-sensitive matter another step closer to final passage.

The development of one national GMO labeling standard is absolutely critical if we hope to avoid the consumer confusion that would emerge from a patchwork of differing state laws, conflicting definitions and divergent labeling criteria regarding biotechnology. The Roberts-Stabenow agreement offers the food industry an efficient, economical and orderly means of providing consumers with the accurate and accessible information they want. We and our partners in the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food praise this important action and encourage the Senate’s expeditious passage of the bill. We urge lawmakers in the House of Representatives to promptly consideration the legislation thereafter.”