Farm Bureau is one of the few farm groups that is not supporting the Senate Ag Committee compromise measure which creates a national mandatory biotech labeling program. South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says his group disagrees with making the regulation mandatory after two years, even though the program would utilize QR codes that could be scanned by consumers, rather than an on-package label.
However, he says they are supportive of the fact that the legislation would preempt state laws such as Vermont’s biotech labeling mandate, which is schedule to go into effect July 1.
He’s says despite their concerns about the compromise, they look for the Senate to move on the bill next week and the House will follow after they return from the holiday recess. The problem is the Vermont state labeling law is set to go into effect before that.
Earlier several agricultural groups called for the Senate to pass a voluntary biotech labeling bill, but faced opposition from some Democrats and activists.
