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Hartford, Conn. - A Ledyard farmer has recruited powerful government allies in his drive to get Connecticut to become the first state to require labeling of genetically-modified foods.
Robert Burns, an organic vegetable farmer who owns Aiki Farms, spoke at length during a meeting in Hartford Friday chaired by state Rep. Richard Roy, co-chair of the General Assembly's Environment Committee. State Sen. Andrew Maynard, D-Stonington, one of the committee's two vice chairmen, was also in attendance.
Burns is pushing for the labeling of genetically modified fruits and vegetables including foods shipped into Connecticut. The most important issue is "the public's right to know," the Shewville Road farmer said.
Ledge Light Health District, a five-town Eastern Connecticut authority that includes Ledyard, has passed a resolution supporting the labeling of genetically modified foods. Burns is on Ledge Light's board.
California is considering such labeling while congressmen from Maine and Vermont are supporting federal legislation known as House Bill 3553. Labeling efforts are being stymied nationally by St. Louis, Mo.-based Monsanto Co., Burns says.
Label GMOs in Connecticut!
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By James Mosher
Norwich Bulletin, December 30, 2011
Straight to the Source
