KALAMAZOO – The Organic Consumers Association plans to
confront Michigan Rep. Fred Upton on Friday about his stand on a bill that
would preempt states’ rights to label foods organic – Non Genetically Modified
Organism.
The group hopes to meet with Upton on Friday at 1 pm at his
Kalamazoo office at 157 South Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 180.His district represents the Southwest corner of Michigan.
Upton, a Republican from St. Joseph, is a Whirlpool heir and
one of the wealthiest members of Congress. He also is chairman of the Energy
and Commerce Committee. He is a supporter of H.R. 1599, a bill written by
Monsanto, the OCA contends.
The bill represents a major victory for the food and
chemical industries, which fought and failed in court to stop mandatory GMO
labeling. If passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the
president, the bill will do what the courts have refused to do: Stop Vermont
from implementing a mandatory GMO labeling law next year. Maine and Connecticut
also have passed GMO labeling laws that would be thwarted.
It would also prevent food manufacturers from labeling their
products GMO-free, unless they use new (weak and inferior) standards developed
by the USDA. The bill would also guarantee the FDA never conducts independent,
pre-market safety testing on GMO foods.
The Republican-run House is expected to easily pass the
labeling bill. Prospects in the GOP-run Senate remain uncertain because of
differences in how debate is conducted and mushy Democratic support. It’s
unclear whether President Obama, a Democrat, would sign the bill.
