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n2doc

(47,953 posts)
Mon Apr 20, 2015, 05:52 PM Apr 2015

Koch-backed law seeks to block GMO labeling

Written by Lisa Neff,

Koch Industries’ favorite congressman recently introduced a bill to restrict the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ability to mandate GMO labeling and block states from requiring labels for genetically engineered food.

Proponents of labeling call the measure introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas the “Deny Americans the Right to Know Act,” aka the “DARK Act.”

Pompeo, a Republican, received more contributions in recent elections from the energy giant Koch Industries than any other congressional member, according to the environmental advocacy group Friends of the Earth.

The lawmaker said he reintroduced the Keep Food Safe and Affordable Act with co-sponsorship from eight Democrats and nine Republicans. The measure contains a new provision to allow food-producers to voluntarily label products as GMO-free through a USDA-accredited certification process.

But Lisa Archer, food and technology program director of Friends of the Earth, called the measure a “chemical and junk food industry dream bill.”

She said the legislation would “set in stone the current, voluntary labeling system that has failed consumers and would replace strong, independent, non-GMO certification with a weak federal program, adding more confusion for consumers who have a right to know what’s in their food.”

more
http://www.wisconsingazette.com/environment/koch-backed-law-seeks-to-block-gmo-labeling.html

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sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
1. That is an outrage. It is a basic right of the people to know what is in their food. Fine, then
Mon Apr 20, 2015, 05:57 PM
Apr 2015

people should simply refuse to buy food that doesn't inform them as to whether the food they are buying are GMO free or not.

Leave to a Republican to try to deny people their rights.

upaloopa

(11,417 posts)
2. But science! Not to worry! The Kochs have
Mon Apr 20, 2015, 05:58 PM
Apr 2015

our best interests at heart. Noblesse oblige in 2015. The oligarchs rule

ladjf

(17,320 posts)
3. I consider the Koch's disregard for human health just for the sake of profit
Mon Apr 20, 2015, 06:05 PM
Apr 2015

to be totally immoral. They may yet have to answer in a court of law for their transgressions.

 

cascadiance

(19,537 posts)
4. If TPP passes, they won't have to worry about this law passing...
Mon Apr 20, 2015, 06:45 PM
Apr 2015

The Kochs will just go to the "corporate tribunal" and be able to throw out any GMO labeling laws anyway.

Faryn Balyncd

(5,125 posts)
5. Koch option #2: Invalidate any federal or state law with TPP and ISDR tribunals.
Mon Apr 20, 2015, 06:53 PM
Apr 2015


As a bonus, with that route they can sue for anticipated loss of profits without actually having to work for it.

("Convincing" TPP negotiators is a lot easily than "motivating" Congress-persons to pass laws (and probably cheaper to boot).




MisterP

(23,730 posts)
8. David's a chemical engineer: I'm sure he's only doing this out of concern for sound science
Mon Apr 20, 2015, 10:38 PM
Apr 2015
(yes, it's needed, people keep trying to make ACSH dirty cops as "liberal&quot
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