BIO claims GMO vote victory in Washington state; advocates say too early to concede
November 06, 2013 | 04:48 PM
The Biotechnology Industry Organization early today claimed victory in the initiative vote in Washington on requiring label of foods that contain ingredients derived from genetically modified commodities, even though the official results are not in.
“Initiative 522, the complicated and costly food labeling proposal, has been rejected by voters across Washington,” BIO said in a news release.
“Just like 27 million voters in California and Oregon, Washington voters saw how this burdensome and deceptive labeling scheme would have created more state bureaucracy, imposed new costs and burdens on local farmers and businesses, and increased food prices for Washington families,” BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood said.
“Food labels should convey valuable and accurate information to consumers,” Greenwood added. “Mandatory initiatives to label all foods containing genetically modified ingredients would only serve to confuse consumers and raise food prices without any additional benefits.”
The ballot measure trails 45 percent to 55 percent, the Seattle Times reported, but proponents of labeling declined to concede. Vote counting will continue for some days because voters could postmark ballots or drop them in boxes until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“Win or lose, this is a long war,” David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, the initiative’s biggest donor, told the Seattle Times.“Labeling is inevitable.”
“It is too early to tell,” Scott Faber, executive director of Just Label It told The Hagstrom Report.“Votes are still being tallied. The tally will narrow as the votes are tallied over the next few days.”
“No one is surprised that the vote is as close as it is,” Faber continued.
“Regardless of the outcome, other states are poised to enact GE [genetic engineering] labeling requirements. Ideally FDA and industry would work with advocates to create a solution that alerts consumers to the presence of GE ingredients.”
Reiterating that other states are considering measures to require labeling, Faber concluded, “I suspect this fight will continue to be waged in 2014.”
“Initiative 522, the complicated and costly food labeling proposal, has been rejected by voters across Washington,” BIO said in a news release.
“Just like 27 million voters in California and Oregon, Washington voters saw how this burdensome and deceptive labeling scheme would have created more state bureaucracy, imposed new costs and burdens on local farmers and businesses, and increased food prices for Washington families,” BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood said.
“Food labels should convey valuable and accurate information to consumers,” Greenwood added. “Mandatory initiatives to label all foods containing genetically modified ingredients would only serve to confuse consumers and raise food prices without any additional benefits.”
The ballot measure trails 45 percent to 55 percent, the Seattle Times reported, but proponents of labeling declined to concede. Vote counting will continue for some days because voters could postmark ballots or drop them in boxes until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“Win or lose, this is a long war,” David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, the initiative’s biggest donor, told the Seattle Times.“Labeling is inevitable.”
“It is too early to tell,” Scott Faber, executive director of Just Label It told The Hagstrom Report.“Votes are still being tallied. The tally will narrow as the votes are tallied over the next few days.”
“No one is surprised that the vote is as close as it is,” Faber continued.
“Regardless of the outcome, other states are poised to enact GE [genetic engineering] labeling requirements. Ideally FDA and industry would work with advocates to create a solution that alerts consumers to the presence of GE ingredients.”
Reiterating that other states are considering measures to require labeling, Faber concluded, “I suspect this fight will continue to be waged in 2014.”
