Anti-consumer bill up for vote this week would undermine GMO labeling laws in Maine and other states
Pingree with fellow members of Congress and Ben and Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield (right) speaking out against the DARK Act at a May press conference
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has introduced an amendments to strike parts of a controversial bill that would limit the ability of states like Maine to require labeling of GMO ingredients in food. What has become known as the DARK Act would overturn laws in Maine and other states relating to GMO ingredients and GMO crops.
"This is really an anti-consumer, anti-right-to-know bill that would prevent families from making intelligent choices about whether or not they want to buy food with GMO ingredients," Pingree said. "It takes choices away from consumers and rights away from states and Congress should reject it."
The bill, H.R. 1599, would make it illegal for states to pass laws requiring GMO labeling and would block laws that have already been passed from being enforced. Maine was the second state in the country to pass a GMO labeling law, which takes effect if five other states in the region also adopt similar legislation.
Pingree's amendment strikes the dangerous parts of the bill—effectively blocking the DARK Act from taking effect—while keeping the provision that requires USDA to create a non-GMO certification program and label.
"The DARK Act is just what Big Food and Monsanto want," Pingree said. "But nine out of ten consumers say they support GMO labeling, so it sure isn't what the public wants. GMO crops lead to the increased use of herbicides like Roundup and that's something a lot of consumers don't want to support."
The House is expected to take up Pingree's amendment and the full bill tomorrow.
