The full Senate will soon vote on a national voluntary biotech labeling bill, following passage out of the Ag Committee last week. The bill offered by Committee Chair Pat Roberts is designed to supersede state labeling laws like Vermont’s mandatory program set to take effect July 1. It would also require USDA to develop the labeling framework. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, speaking at Commodity Classic, says while there is still divide over whether the program should be mandatory or voluntary….he thinks the Senate will find a compromise.

Vilsack says a national biotech standard is greatly needed to provide information for the consumer.

The Secretary says the industry needs to come together behind a biotech labeling program to alleviate consumer fears about biotech crops, which he says are safe.

The House has passed a voluntary GMO labeling bill and the Senate is expected to take up the debate in the next few weeks.