GMO Labeling Efforts Move Forward in New York State
The State of New York appears to be one of the next battlegrounds in the movement to require labeling of GMO foods. After the bitter defeat with Prop 37 in California, New York GMO labeling advocates believe there is an opportunity to achieve this goal through legislative action.
The process is off to a good start. Bills have been introduced in both the New York State Senate (S3835 – from Senator Kenneth Lavelle) and in the Assembly (A3525 – fromAssembly member Linda Rosenthal.) The bill in the Assembly already has 46 co-sponsors and/or committed supporters. It is expected that committee movement on the bills will start in April shortly after the legislators return from their spring recess.
The New York legislation is fairly straightforward. It does not ban or limit the use of GMOs in products, it simply requires manufactures to clearly label their products to note they contain GMOs. The enforcement will fall under existing New York consumer labeling regulations.
One of the most active groups pushing the new legislation is a volunteer organization called GMO Free NY.ORG They are now partnering with a number of organic food and GMO awareness groups to build support for the New York legislation. According to Tom Sharrard, a spokesperson for the group, “We are optimistic that we can move this forward successfully here in New York. We are carefully examining issues that weakened the California efforts and attempting to craft a strong bill that can meet any potential challenges.”
Sharrard went on to say, “At this point, the next critical step is getting the bills out of Committee. On the Senate side, the bill falls under Chairman Senator Lee Zeldin in the Consumer Protection Committee. On the Assembly side Chairman Jeffrey Dinowitz oversees the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection.”
The GMO Free NY.ORG group is looking for any assistance other groups might provide for their campaign. They have already started a legal review of the legislation and are beginning to assess overall legislative support. The critical need in April will be to generate calls and contacts to the Chairs and members of the Consumer Protection Committees to make sure the bills get to the floor for a vote. More information is available at their website: www.gmofreeny.org Individuals and organizations who may be able to offer support can also contact: info@gmofreeny.org.
New Yorkers are encouraged to get out and support this effort. GMO Free NY.ORG asks that Citizens get involved by going to www.gmofreeny.org and clicking on the “Become a member” apple icon. By doing so, they will be included in all email updates and action alerts. For those who are social media savvy; they can stay connected with GMO Free New York at www.facebook.com/gmofreenewyork and on twitter at www.twitter.com/gmofreenewyork. GMO Free NY.ORG will be asking everyone to call their local legislators starting in April to garner support for these bills.
GMO Free NY.ORG also focuses on consumer choice and Agriculture issues and strongly encourages a consumer tipping point away from Biotech by purposefully purchasing Certified Organic produce and products, NON-GMO Project Verified products, supporting small local and organic farming operations by enrolling in Organic Community Sustained Agriculture Coops or, if possible, growing their organic produce. GMO Free NY.ORG believes that a focus on conscious consumption and Legislative involvement will provide the best solution to to these very critical agricultural and environmental issues.
GMO Free NY.ORG is also looking for volunteers from other New York towns and cities to start their own local groups and be active members of a State-wide GMO Free NY.ORG Alliance. Individuals who are interested in starting a group in their local community should contact GMO Free NY.ORG at web@gmofreeny.org. There are local GMO Free groups already in place in Rochester, Buffalo, and Long Island. The GMO Free NY.ORG team can help new local groups set up web profiles and can provide links on theGMO Free NY.ORG website to allow interested residents to contact the local groups and get involved.
GMO Free New York 