Dive Summary:
- The Colorado State Senate heard five hours of testimony last week before it voted 7-2 against mandatory GMO labeling.
- While many believed the vote would be closer, the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers has proven to be a fairly powerful lobby, claiming the bill would raise costs for consumers.
- Currently, a U.S. Senator from Colorado is bringing a federal GMO labeling bill before Congress, however if the states are any indication, it does not seem likely to gain much traction.
From the article:
A spokesman for the powerful Colorado Association of Wheat Growers told lawmakers that labeling GE foods would raise grocery prices. Genetically modified wheat requires fewer pesticides and less water, farmers told the committee.
State Rep. Jeanne Labuda (D-Denver) said consumers have a right to know about how their food is produced. She said one more label requirement would not be overly burdensome.
