New Yorkers Wage Urgent Battle for GMO Label Law

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/06/17-5



According to a recent poll, approximately 93% of all Americans support GMO labeling.

New Yorkers Wage Urgent Battle for GMO Label Law
- Lauren McCauley, staff writer
Published on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 by Common Dreams

Campaigners for a bill to label foods made with genetically modified organisms (or GMOs) in New York are racing against the clock this week as they rally for a vote before state lawmakers on Thursday adjourn for the year.

In what has emerged as a pivotal battle in the state-by-state labeling fight, outside industry groups have spent millions to lobby against Bill A03525, according to a recent report (pdf) by the New York Public Interest Research Group.

"If New York passes a bill it will be a game changer," Stacie Orell, campaign director for the grassroots group GMO Free NY told Common Dreams. Because of New York's economic power and population of 19 million people, a labeling law in the state will send a strong message to both the industry and the federal government, Orell explained.

Further, passage of a GMO label law in New York would create a "domino effect" in the region, Orell continues, nearly fulfilling the trigger clause for the Conneticut GMO label law, which passed last June.