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MONTPELIER, Vt. — As hundreds cheered, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed
a law Thursday that puts Vermont on the path to be the first state to
require labeling of genetically modified foods and promptly announced an
online fundraiser to battle expected legal challenges from the food
industry.

The Vermont law takes effect in mid-2016, but opponents
said shortly after the bill signing that they would file a lawsuit. The
Grocery Manufacturers’ Association said government has no compelling
interest in warning consumers about GMO foods. Another obstacle to the
state law looms in Congress as Republicans work on a bill that would
forbid states from passing and enforcing laws requiring GMO labeling.

Critics
of GMO foods consider them environmentally suspect and a possible
health threat. But many in the food industry say the food is safe, the
technology boosts food production, and its use is less environmentally
harmful than traditional farming methods.

In signing the
legislation, Shumlin asked for support Internet-wide, announcing the
launch of a new website to help the state raise funds toward a court
battle with agribusiness or biotech industries.

“We are asking
people all across America, and all across the great state of Vermont, to
go to (the website) and make a donation, so that we can win the Vermont
Food Fight Fund fight not only for Vermont, but for America,” Shumlin
said.

The law calls for the labeling of processed GMO foods and
for retailers to post signs on displays of unpackaged genetically
engineered foods. Restaurants are exempt from the requirements. It also
sets a civil penalty of $1,000 per day per product for “false
certification.” The entire product, not each individual item or package,
would be subject to the penalty.