SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Biotech Industry Lobbying Blitz Defeats Calif. GMO Labeling Bill
Food safety activists say they are determined to continue fight for labeling in California and nation-wide
May 30, 2014
California lawmakers this week narrowly rejected a bill that would have mandated the labeling of genetically engineered foods in the state of California, following heavy lobbying against the measure from the food and biotechnology industries.
The bill, which needed 21 votes to pass the California Senate, garnered 19 votes in favor and 16 against.
Yet its backers say the close vote is actually a victory, given the industry's efforts to defeat it.
"This is one of the top bills [the food and biotechnology industries] wanted to defeat this year," Rebecca Spector, West Coast Director at Center for Food Safety, told Common Dreams. "They really wanted kill this bill.
She added, "We thought it was a huge step forward that the bill made it through several committees all the way to the Senate floor. It's very difficult to get these kinds of bills through the state, and we were very pleased with the progress."
While only one other U.S. state--Vermont--mandates GE labeling, as of April there were at least 65 active GE labeling bills in 26 states, according to Center for Food Safety. This includes an Oregon state-wide initiative to label GMOs, up for a vote in November.
Over 60 countries around the world have passed GE labeling legislation.
"More than 90 percent of Americans say they want to know if food is produced using genetic engineering. The FDA does not require labeling, but states can impose that requirement," said Spector, adding there will likely be future attempts to pass similar legislation in California.
According to an Organic Consumers Association statement about the California vote, "The grassroots team behind that legislation is not defeated--it's invigorated. Activists will regroup, and make another run at lawmakers next year."
_____________________
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
California lawmakers this week narrowly rejected a bill that would have mandated the labeling of genetically engineered foods in the state of California, following heavy lobbying against the measure from the food and biotechnology industries.
The bill, which needed 21 votes to pass the California Senate, garnered 19 votes in favor and 16 against.
Yet its backers say the close vote is actually a victory, given the industry's efforts to defeat it.
"This is one of the top bills [the food and biotechnology industries] wanted to defeat this year," Rebecca Spector, West Coast Director at Center for Food Safety, told Common Dreams. "They really wanted kill this bill.
She added, "We thought it was a huge step forward that the bill made it through several committees all the way to the Senate floor. It's very difficult to get these kinds of bills through the state, and we were very pleased with the progress."
While only one other U.S. state--Vermont--mandates GE labeling, as of April there were at least 65 active GE labeling bills in 26 states, according to Center for Food Safety. This includes an Oregon state-wide initiative to label GMOs, up for a vote in November.
Over 60 countries around the world have passed GE labeling legislation.
"More than 90 percent of Americans say they want to know if food is produced using genetic engineering. The FDA does not require labeling, but states can impose that requirement," said Spector, adding there will likely be future attempts to pass similar legislation in California.
According to an Organic Consumers Association statement about the California vote, "The grassroots team behind that legislation is not defeated--it's invigorated. Activists will regroup, and make another run at lawmakers next year."
_____________________
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
California lawmakers this week narrowly rejected a bill that would have mandated the labeling of genetically engineered foods in the state of California, following heavy lobbying against the measure from the food and biotechnology industries.
The bill, which needed 21 votes to pass the California Senate, garnered 19 votes in favor and 16 against.
Yet its backers say the close vote is actually a victory, given the industry's efforts to defeat it.
"This is one of the top bills [the food and biotechnology industries] wanted to defeat this year," Rebecca Spector, West Coast Director at Center for Food Safety, told Common Dreams. "They really wanted kill this bill.
She added, "We thought it was a huge step forward that the bill made it through several committees all the way to the Senate floor. It's very difficult to get these kinds of bills through the state, and we were very pleased with the progress."
While only one other U.S. state--Vermont--mandates GE labeling, as of April there were at least 65 active GE labeling bills in 26 states, according to Center for Food Safety. This includes an Oregon state-wide initiative to label GMOs, up for a vote in November.
Over 60 countries around the world have passed GE labeling legislation.
"More than 90 percent of Americans say they want to know if food is produced using genetic engineering. The FDA does not require labeling, but states can impose that requirement," said Spector, adding there will likely be future attempts to pass similar legislation in California.
According to an Organic Consumers Association statement about the California vote, "The grassroots team behind that legislation is not defeated--it's invigorated. Activists will regroup, and make another run at lawmakers next year."
_____________________
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.