Victory! Vermont Passes Landmark GMO Labeling Law

[Judi Lynn]

137. Court Battle Looms Over Vermont’s GMO Food Labeling Law

Court Battle Looms Over Vermont’s GMO Food Labeling Law
Posted by News Editor in Food, Latest News, RSS on May 23, 2014 7:10 pm

MONTPELIER, Vermont, May 23, 2014 (ENS) – Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has signed a first-in-the-nation law requiring the labeling of food produced by genetic engineering. “I am proud that we’re leading the way in the United States to require labeling of genetically engineered food,” said the governor. “More than 60 countries have already restricted or labeled these foods, and now one state, Vermont, will also ensure that we know what’s in the food we buy and serve our families.”

“Vermonters take our food and how it is produced seriously, and we believe we have a right to know what’s in the food we buy,” Governor Shumlin told the crowd gathered on the State House lawn for the signing event May 8. “As you know, we’re in the middle of an agricultural renaissance in Vermont because more and more Vermonters care about where their food comes from, what’s in it, and who grew it,” said the governor. “It makes sense that we are again leading the nation in this important step forward.”

Under the new law, HB 112, food for human consumption offered for retail sale in Vermont that is entirely or partially produced with genetic engineering must be labeled to indicate this fact, as of July 1, 2016. Violators face penalties and further action by the Attorney General’s Office.

The bill creates a fund to support the implementation and administration of the state labeling law, including costs and fees associated with expected challenge in court by food producers who do not want to disclose this information to consumers.

“The constitutionality of the GMO labelling law will undoubtedly be challenged,” said Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell. “I can make no predictions or promises about how the courts will ultimately rule, but I can promise that my office will mount a vigorous and zealous defense of the law that has so much support from Vermont consumers.”

More:
http://ens-newswire.com/2014/05/23/court-battle-looms-over-vermonts-gmo-food-labeling-law/