Judge Says Vermont Law on Genetically Modified Food Stands
Source: Associated Press
A Vermont law that could make the state the first in the country to require labeling of genetically modified food has been allowed by a federal judge to stand for now despite opposition by food industry groups.
U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss in Burlington on Monday ruled against the Grocery Manufacturers' Association and other industry groups in their request for a preliminary order to block the law from going into effect as scheduled on July 1, 2016.
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"The safety of food products, the protection of the environment, and the accommodation of religious beliefs and practices are all quintessential governmental interests, as is the State's desire 'to promote informed consumer decision-making,'" she wrote, quoting from the state's court filings.
The court dismissed the industry groups' request that it apply a legal standard of strict scrutiny to the free-speech issues in the case, making it easier at trial for the state to rebut the companies' First Amendment claims. It also dismissed the plaintiffs' request that the law be found to violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/food-industry-block-vermonts-gmo-labeling-law-30617800
Big victory at this stage! Congratulations Vermont and all who worked on getting this needed law passed!
Law goes into effect July 1, 2016 and will trigger some already approved laws in other states. Next step: GMO goes on trial as the Snack Food Industry continues to try and deny consumers' choice.
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