The biotech labeling bill passed by Congress last year faces an uncertain future. The law set a deadline of July 29 of 2018 for the USDA to release rules complying with the law and USDA was working to publish an advanced notice of rulemaking. However, it withdrawn by the Trump administration. American Soybean Association board member and Lennox, South Dakota soybean grower Dave Poppens says the outcome of the rule lies with new Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue when he gets confirmed.

Poppens says at this point they must wait for Perdue’s confirmation and hope he convinces the President the national biotech labeling standard is needed.

He says having that rule finalized is critical in keeping the piecemeal of state labeling laws from being revived.

Under Trump’s recent executive order, two rules must be eliminated before any new ones can be put in place, leaving the biotech labeling measure in limbo.