The National Corn Growers Association wants Congress to pass a voluntary biotech labeling bill this year. Wednesday the Senate Ag Committee took testimony on the issue. NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chairman John Linder says only Congress can prevent a costly and confusing patchwork of state labeling laws from taking effect next year by passing this legislation.

Linder says the other problem with a myriad of state laws on biotech labeling is that it could lead to a number of unnecessary lawsuits.

The House passed a voluntary labeling bill this summer and Republican Senators are working on a companion measure that so far has failed to get support from Democrats.