Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts has scheduled markup of his biotech labeling bill tomorrow. Markup was delayed as Robert has been working to get bipartisan support for the national voluntary measure from Democrats. South Dakota Soybean Association President Jerry Schmitz, who farms near Vermillion, says his group supports Robert’s measure because it will mean less confusion for both growers and consumers.
He’s hoping Chairman Roberts can come to a compromise with ranking member Debbie Stabenow who’s calling for a mandatory bill. Schmitz says having the voluntary measure would still benefit consumers.
Schmitz expects Senators to make a deal because producers need biotechnology to feed a growing global population.
However, ranking member Stabenow has said she won’t support Robert’s bill in its current form.
