Monsanto Quietly Lobbies Feds To Ban States From Passing GMO Labeling Laws

Last November, Monsanto lobbied against a California initiative that would have required all food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be labeled as such. The agricultural giant was successful in convincing California voters to vote against the initiative.

Instead of waiting for individual states to propose similar legislation, Monsanto appears to be playing offense and going after GMO labeling legislation in all states.

As reported by Ronnie Cummins, founder and director of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), sources in Washington, D.C. have informed the group that Monsanto has begun secretly lobbying Congress to include amendments or “Monsanto Riders” to the 2013 Farm Bill that would prohibit states from requiring labels on any genetically engineered (GE) foods.

GE crops can include corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, sugar beets, alfalfa, papaya and squash, and comprise 41 percent of all cultivated cropland in the U.S. Approximately 170 million acres of GE crops are planted in the U.S., even though there is evidence that GE crops have a negative effect on human health and the environment.  MORE

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Washington votes against GMO labeling – preliminary results

Supporters of the bill were severely outgunned in the campaign faced by corporate opposition from the likes of Monsanto, Pepsi and Nestle. 

The multinationals invested a total of $22 million in convincing the state’s constituents they should vote against the mandatory labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients.   MORE FROM RT