'Monsanto, Koch Alliance'? GOP Congressman Pushes Bill to Block GMO Labling

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Common Dreams

Published on Thursday, April 10, 2014 by Common Dreams
'Monsanto, Koch Alliance'? GOP Congressman Pushes Bill to Block GMO Labling

Koch brothers-supported Rep. wants industry-supported, industry-benefiting bill to deny Americans' right to know

- Andrea Germanos, staff writer

In a move slammed as sealing "an unholy alliance between Monsanto and Koch Industries," a Kansas congressman has submitted legislation that would ban state-level GMO labeling laws.

Called the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2014, the industry-supported legislation sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo would "amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to food produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered organism, the labeling of natural foods, and for other purposes."

On labeling, it states that

If the Secretary determines that there is a material difference between a food produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered organism and its comparable marketed food and that disclosure of such difference is necessary to protect health and safety or to prevent the label or labeling of such food from being false or misleading, the Secretary may, in a response under subsection (d)(2)(A), specify labeling that would adequately inform consumers of such material difference. The use of bioengineering does not, by itself, constitute a material difference. (...)
no State or political subdivision of a State may directly or indirectly establish under any authority or continue in effect as to any food in interstate commerce any requirement for the labeling of a food by virtue of its having been developed using bioengineering, including any requirements for claims that a food is or contains an ingredient that was developed using bioengineering.

Touting the legislation, Pompeo states that it "prevents a mishmash of labeling standards" and "would protect consumers by eliminating confusion and advancing food safety."


Read more: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/04/10-6

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[Lean]

1. Where Has the First Lady Been on This Issue?

Isn't she supposed to touting healthy eating? Why hasn't she spoken out about the dangers of GMO's? Where is her leadership? Mrs. Obama needs to grow a backbone.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Maybe you should explain why the First Lady should set policy on GMO's.

She is unelected, or does that make a difference to you?

[7962]

5. Because she has chosen healthy eating to be a focus of hers as First Lady

There would be nothing wrong with her speaking out on this. The poster didnt mention her setting policy at all. He/she simply said "speak out". I would encourage her to do the same. But not JUST her.

[Veilex]

7. "Because she has chosen healthy eating to be a focus of hers"....

that has nothing to do with the price of tea in China. The first lady is not an elected official. Her position is irrelevant to the discussion at hand. She has no authority, and thusly, no impact on the political realities of the topic.

Might as well ask "Where has Lean or 7962 been on This Issue?" Your opinion matters only insofar as how you can personally affect the situation... which I daresay is limited at best.

In short? The topic is too important to allow it to be derailed by nonsense questions.

[7962]

9. You dont think the First Lady, any of them, has any influence?

You dont think Hillary had any influence on Bill? Nancy on Reagan? Come on. If you think my opinion carries as much weight as Michelle Obama's, then you're not living in the real world. What would be WRONG with her speaking out on it? If her opinion doesnt mean anything, then theres no reason for any of us to do it.

[Veilex]

10. "What would be WRONG with her speaking out on it"

In a word? Nothing. But here's a counter question for you. What effect does she have on laws? The answer is she has one vote, just like the rest of us. Those who are serious about this issue will seek out their senators and congress-critters to get change done. Expecting the first lady to have the easy-button, or to have influence enough to affect change is simply nothing more than a distraction from the methods that actually work. Particularly when dealing with something that entails legislation.

Its much akin to expecting Obama to exact all the changes we want done, without congress to enact laws. In the President's case, he actually has authority to get certain things accomplished...but his power is limited. Most actual change has to be done through congress...which means applying pressure directly to them...not through a potential intermediary.

[7962]

11. Her voice would bring this to the attention of many who dont pay attention to news like we do.

There are a LOT of people who would be against what Monsanto does if they only knew and understood what was going on. Then members of Congress MIGHT start to hear from more people. And there are folks who will hear her who havent heard anything before.
I know she has no votes on policy, but speaking out would be more beneficial than doing nothing. But I doubt we'll hear anything from her.

[Veilex]

14. Granted...

Being devoid of her speaking out, those of us who are indeed news junkies would by far be better served by contacting our congress-critters vice bemoaning her apparent lack of speaking up on the issue. Cause, well, lets face it; The Obamas, all of them, are going to be quite busy... and I doubt we know even a fraction of what they do or say. So, its possible the first lady might in fact be working on a way to combat the misinformation propagated by the likes of Monsanto. The very fact that she's worked to establish working gardens at the Whitehouse, works against their ilk.

However, I doubt she reads this website.
Mores the pity.

[LanternWaste]

13. I used to ask irrelevant questions designed to deflect from the actual topic at hand, too...

I used to ask practically irrelevant questions designed to deflect from the actual topic at hand, too.

[pragmatic_dem]

2. just another fascist law for our protection... nt

[Brainstormy]

4. From Institute for Responsible Technology

Big Food is trying to kill your right to know if the food you’re eating is genetically engineered.

With their anti-labeling allies like Monsanto and Dow, the Grocery Manufacturers Association has teamed up with Koch brothers-backed Congressman Mike Pompeo of Kansas to introduce a federal bill that would deny your right to know.

The bill, which we're calling the “Deny Americans the Right-to-Know Act (DARK Act),” would:

Prevent states from adopting their own GE labeling laws.

Block any attempt by states to make it illegal for food companies to put a “natural” label on products that contain GE ingredients.
Prevent the Food and Drug Administration from requiring companies to label GE ingredients and instead continue a failed “voluntary” labeling policy.

The bill--crafted by the Grocery Manufacturers Association-led Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food, has just been introduced by Rep. Pompeo, and has reportedly picked up two co-sponsors: Reps. Butterfield (D-NC 1st district) and Blackburn (R-TN 7th district). All three lawmakers serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over GE food labeling.

Tell Congress not to squash your right to know about genetically engineered foods!
It’s no surprise that industry chose the Kansas Republican as their cheerleader. Pompeo was the single largest recipient of campaign funds from Koch Industries in 2010. It’s clear that corporate money = legislative favors with Congressman Pompeo.


And now the Koch brothers are teaming up with Monsanto? Monsanto was the single largest contributor against the recent Washington State ballot initiative to label GE foods. Between Washington State and California, Monsanto, along with GMA and other agribusiness companies, have contributed over $67 million to keep consumers in the dark.


So what’s wrong with “voluntary” GE food labeling? In a word: everything. It is grossly misleading for industry—let alone members of Congress—to continue trumpeting the idea that voluntary labeling will solve the overwhelming consumer demand for labeling in the marketplace. In the 13 years that FDA has allowed companies to voluntarily label genetically engineered foods, not one single company has done so.


Without mandatory labeling of GE foods, consumers are being left in the dark about the foods we are purchasing and feeding our families. In 2013, over 50 GE labeling bills were introduced in 26 states, including Hawaii, Washington, Indiana, Missouri, and Vermont.


This industry-backed bill will cut these state labeling bills off at the knees and replace them with an undemocratic, hollow “voluntary” labeling scheme that does nothing to address consumer interests and only serves to allow corporations to deny us our right to know.


Tell Congress to drop this corporate hand-out of a bill!


Safe eating begins with INFORMED eating!
The small but mighty IRT team!

The Institute for Responsible Technology thanks The Center for Food Safety for originating this alert.

[MisterP]

6. yeah--they want both a Monsanto TPP rep and a Monsanto Ag Secretary--oh wait ...

[MindMover]

8. So let me get this right ....

""

[yellowcanine]

12. Maybe she doesn't share your opinion that GMOs are unhealthy for you?

Should she do something just because it is popular even if she doesn't believe it?