Page 77 - Fall2012

contains a genetically engineered ingredient. amendment requires the USDA to submit a report
State efforts to require labeling of genetically- to Congress on what needs to be done to meet
engineered foods have been met with threats the needs of small processors. Although it’s nar-
that the biotech industry will sue any state that rower than we had hoped for, it can be used to
dares pass such a law, and the Sanders Amend- lay the groundwork for more reforms in the next
ment would have explicitly recognized that states legislative session.
are not limited by federal law on this issue. The
Sanders amendment would also have required ANIMAL ID
the FDA and USDA to provide a report within Many WAPF members responded to the alert
the next two years to specify how much of our to call their congressman to express their opposi-
country’s food and beverages contain genetically tion to the USDA’s new animal ID rule―thank
engineered ingredients. you! Although Congress did not cut the funding
The following Senators voted yes: Akaka for the program, the calls triggered several of-
(D-HI); Begich (D-AK); Bennet (D-CO); fices to inquire more about the issue and raise
Blumenthal (D-CT); Boxer (D-CA); Cantwell concerns with the Office of Management and
(D-WA); Cardin (D-MD); Feinstein (D-CA); Budget (OMB). At the same time, a coalition
Inouye (D-HI); Johnson (D-SD); Kerry (D-MA); of organizations is also urging OMB to send
Lautenberg (D-NJ); Leahy (D-VT); Lieberman the rule back to USDA on the grounds that the
(ID-CT); Manchin (D-WV); Merkley (D-OR); agency has not addressed the real costs. We met
Mikulski (D-MD); Murkowski (R-AK); Murray with OMB staff in late June for a face-to-face
(D-WA); Reed (D-RI); Rockefeller (D-WV); discussion, and sixty-two organizations then sent
Sanders (I-VT); Tester (D-MT); Udall (D-NM); a joint letter as follow-up. See page 78 for a few
Whitehouse (D-RI); Wyden (D-OR). excerpts.
Several other amendments that WAPF asked Typically, if OMB does not raise concerns
you to call about were blocked before coming to about the costs or regulatory burdens imposed,
a vote. This was bad news for Senator Tester’s a rule is finalized within ninety days after being
Seeds and Breeds Amendment (guaranteeing sent to the OMB. At the time this article goes to
funding for non-GMO research) and Senator press, over one hundred twenty days have passed
Paul’s Raw Milk Amendment (removing the ban since USDA sent the animal ID rule to OMB for
on interstate transport of raw milk). However, it review, and it has not yet been finalized. Under
was good news when it came to Senator Fein- federal law, the OMB is not allowed to say more
stein’s amendment to impose new regulations than the simple fact that the rule is going through
on laying hen operations, which WAPF opposed. the interagency review process, but the delay
Although we recognize the problems with the indicates that OMB is looking closely at some Many WAPF

factory farm conditions, Feinstein’s bill could of the issues we raised. members
have unintended consequences for pastured
poultry farmers due to labeling and euthanasia LABELING GMO’S: responded to
provisions. THE CALIFORNIA BALLOT INITIATIVE the alert to
On the House side, we knew the House With state legislatures and governors cav- call their
Agriculture Committee would be generally dif- ing to pressure from biotech companies, the
ficult for our issues, and the committee’s version tactic of taking the issue straight to the voters congressman
of the bill includes several damaging provisions: has become one of the few hopes for mandatory to express
essentially conceding to WTO pressure on labeling of genetically engineered foods. Cali- their
County-of-Origin Labeling, undermining live- fornia Proposition 37 would require clear labels
stock market reforms, and fast-tracking approval letting consumers know if foods are genetically opposition to
of new genetically engineered crops. However, modified and barring companies from labeling the USDA’s
on the one amendment that WAPF supported, foods that contain GMO’s as “natural.” new animal
the committee did adopt a pared-down version, Unsurprisingly, companies like Monsanto
Representative Chellie Pingree’s amendment to and DuPont and their trade associations are fight- ID rule―
help small-scale slaughterhouses. The approved ing the proposition tooth and nail. Conventional thank you!

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