Supporters of GMO Labeling Law Fill House Chamber

"Don't GMO me, bro!"

Al Walskey's remark drew laughter, but also summarized the feelings of almost all of the 50 speakers at a Senate hearing on GMO labeling Thursday night at the Statehouse.

February 7, 2014 | Source: VT Digger | by Andrea Suozzo

For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s Genetic Engineering page, Millions Against Monsanto page and our Vermont News page.

“Don’t GMO me, bro!”

Al Walskey’s remark drew laughter, but also summarized the feelings of almost all of the 50 speakers at a Senate hearing on GMO labeling Thursday night at the Statehouse.

Walskey, a Vietnam veteran from Berkshire, raised concerns about Monsanto Corp., the agricultural chemical giant that produces some of the nation’s genetically engineered seed. He cited the health effects of another Monsanto product, Agent Orange, which sickened many soldiers in Vietnam. (Dow Chemical also produced the defoliant agent for the U.S. military.)

More than 200 people filled the floor of the House chamber for the joint hearing by the Senate Agriculture and Judiciary committees on H.112, a bill that mandates the labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients.

The House passed the bill in May, and the Senate Agriculture Committee took the bill up beginning first week of the legislative session this January.

Sen. David Zuckerman, P-Chittenden, vice-chair of the committee, said Friday that the panel approved the bill, 4-1, without a trigger clause that would delay implementation of GMO labeling until other states pass similar bills. H.112 now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.