Echoed in todays Honolulu Star-Advertiser article on Ige revising position on GMO labeling. EXCERPTS: State Sen. David Ige said Saturday that he would reconsider his opposition to GMO labeling in Hawaii and look to a Vermont law signed in May as a possible solution. Vermont became the first state to require manufacturers to label genetically modified organisms by July 2016. Retailers would not be held liable for failing to label GMO products. Connecticut and Maine have also approved GMO labeling laws, but those mandates would not take effect until other northeastern states pass similar requirements. Ige, who is running against Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic primary, had opposed GMO labeling in Hawaii. He said he would prefer the federal government to decide on labeling, but would now consider a state-level requirement if local retailers and food producers could be spared the costs of labeling. Genetically modified organisms are common in the food supply and the federal government has determined that GMOs do not pose elevated health risks, yet a growing number of consumers in Hawaii and across the nation have demanded GMO labeling. Food manufacturing andbiotechnology interests are expected to file legal challenges to the Vermont law. I believe that the consumer has the right to know whats in their food, Ige said after a news conference on environmental, agriculture and energy issues at Kewalo Basin Park. I believe that it would best be handled by the federal level. But I do understand that its a big concern in our community, so I am looking at Vermont. My concern is that I dont believe the local retailer or the local food producer should have to bear the full cost of that labeling and that burden.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 22:33:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015