"If GM foods are safe, as the industry claims, then why the stubborn opposition to labeling?"

[Major Nikon]

46. I'm not sure what those advantages are

Heirloom varietals don't require "chemical free" assuming such a thing exists commercially. Organic certification isn't cheap, which generally puts it out of the range of the smallest farmers. Without certification there's no guarantee any standards are being followed, so all you have is the word of the person who is trying to make a sale. Certification most certainly doesn't insure "chemical free" either. It doesn't even guarantee organic as many non-organic products are approved under the NOP.

As far as I'm concerned, taste is a very important consideration. Most commercial produce is concerned with efficiency, transportation, and lots of other concerns which take a front seat to taste. I'm certainly willing to pay more for taste. I'm also willing to pay more for sustainability and fair trade, however I can afford it while others may need an affordable supply of wholesome basic ingredients. While these things can certainly be produced under the marketing umbrella of "organic", there's nothing about that term which guarantees any of those things.