The Honorable Thad Cochran The Honorable Barbara Mikulski
Chairman Ranking Member
Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Harold Rogers The Honorable Nita M. Lowey
Chairman Ranking Member
Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairmen Cochran and Rogers & Ranking Members Mikulski and Lowey,
On July 29, 2016, the President signed into law S. 764, legislation authored by Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to establish national uniformity with respect to the labeling of bioengineered food. This measure, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate and the House, requires bioengineered food disclosure in the United States and directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop and administer regulations governing a mandatory disclosure program.
Because the Congress and the President have already established, via federal law, a mandatory program to address consumer curiosity about bioengineered food, we urge your committee to oppose any provision related to bioengineered food labeling, including salmon labeling, that might come before you during consideration of the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations process. The Congress has spoken clearly and has established a national bioengineered food labeling and disclosure program at USDA. No further action is necessary, and indeed any additional Congressional instruction on this issue would be confusing and counterproductive as USDA proceeds with timely implementation of S. 764. Furthermore, bill language targeting any particular bioengineered product for differential treatment would be unfair and discriminatory.
We appreciate your attention to this important innovation policy issue. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
James C. Greenwood
President and CEO
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Zippy Duvall
President
American Farm Bureau Federation
Cc: The Honorable Jerry Moran
The Honorable Jeff Merkley
The Honorable Robert Aderholt
The Honorable Sam Farr
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September 12, 2016
Dear Chairmen Cochran and Rogers & Ranking Members Mikulski and Lowey,
On July 29, 2016, the President signed into law S. 764, legislation authored by Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to establish national uniformity with respect to the labeling of bioengineered food. This measure, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate and the House, requires bioengineered food disclosure in the United States and directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop and administer regulations governing a mandatory disclosure program.
Because the Congress and the President have already established, via federal law, a mandatory program to address consumer curiosity about bioengineered food, we urge your committee to oppose any provision related to bioengineered food labeling, including salmon labeling, that might come before you during consideration of the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations process. The Congress has spoken clearly and has established a national bioengineered food labeling and disclosure program at USDA. No further action is necessary, and indeed any additional Congressional instruction on this issue would be confusing and counterproductive as USDA proceeds with timely implementation of S. 764. Furthermore, bill language targeting any particular bioengineered product for differential treatment would be unfair and discriminatory.
We appreciate your attention to this important innovation policy issue. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.