Biotechnology Disclosure Bill Good News for American Families, Farmers

Alexandria, Va.—July 14, 2016—The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) praised today’s passage of common sense legislation to provide a transparent, uniform national food disclosure standard while protecting consumers, farmers and small businesses from the harmful consequences of a confusing and costly patchwork of state labeling mandates. 

“We applaud Chairman Conaway and Roberts, Ranking Members Peterson and Stabenow, Congressmen Pompeo and Butterfield, and all the Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate who put politics aside and came together to do what’s right for American families and farmers,” said ASTA President & CEO Andrew LaVigne.  “Failure to do so would have had long-term, irreversible consequences on our nation’s food supply chain.  Genetic engineering is one of a wide array of safe and important tools plant breeders use to address global challenges.  Thanks to this bill, products produced through this method will not be unfairly stigmatized with mandatory on-pack labels.”