The Senate is expected to take up a national voluntary biotech labeling measure sometime this month.  As a result, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is calling all stakeholders together to discuss their views on the issue and build consensus.  South Dakota Soybean Association President and Vermillion area grower Jerry Schmitz says it’s important to have national labeling rather than various state rules that confuse consumers.

He says biotechnology is beneficial for both producers and consumers and is essential to be able to feed a growing global population.

Schmitz says his group will be working to convince Senators to approve the national biotech labeling legislation.

Schmitz says it’s important all viewpoints on the biotech issue are shared, but also the science, so lawmakers can make an educated decision on the legislation.