GMO Labeling Bill Passes House Agricultural Committee

  On July 14, 2015, the United States House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture approved Bill 1599, “The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015.” 

  H.R. 1599 was originally introduced by Representatives Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) on March 25, 2015 and was referred to the House committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  According to a press release on the House Committee on Agriculture website, discussions between the two committees helped evolve the legislation.

  H.R. 1599 would create a national, uniform policy related to biotechnology labeling, preempting state labeling laws.  According to the press release, Chairman of the Agricultural Committee Michael Conaway (R-TX) commented, “The current patchwork system of varied labels interferes with the free flow of goods across the country, posing a real threat to interstate commerce and typically results in inconsistent and confusing information for consumers. Creating a uniform national policy regarding biotechnology labeling is the free market solution that will allow consumers access to meaningful information…”

Written by Katharine Richter - Research Assistant

July 14, 2015