Genetically modified food labeling measure to qualify for Washington state ballot

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Genetically modified food labeling measure to qualify for Washington state ballot
By Jonathan Kaminsky
OLYMPIA, Washington | Fri Jan 4, 2013 10:07pm EST

(Reuters) - A measure to require special labeling of genetically modified foods appeared virtually certain to qualify for the ballot in Washington state on Friday, two months after voters in California rejected a similar initiative.

Sponsors of the measure turned in petitions signed by an estimated 350,000 registered voters - at least 100,000 more signatures than required - on Thursday, a day ahead of deadline, said David Ammons, a spokesman for the Washington secretary of state.

The submission all but assures that the GMO-labeling initiative would be certified by the secretary and sent on to the state legislature, which could adopt the measure or leave it to a popular vote on the November 2013 election ballot, Ammons said.

The initiative would make Washington the first U.S. state to require that all genetically modified seeds used by farmers as well as food with genetically altered ingredients be labeled as such.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/05/us-usa-food-washington-idUSBRE90402G20130105

[Berlum]

1. Good

Let the people decide.

Even in the face of massive corporate megabucks propaganda, let the people decide.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Be prepared, guys.

CA had this beat by a 3:1 margin. Then the Big Boys came in and INUNDATED the airwaves with ad buys. The funding was $50 million against labeling, $6 million for. Be prepared for the same.

[tavalon]

4. Hah, I should have read the responses first

You said what I said, just a little earlier. Did California manage to pass it or was the money too much to counter? I hate this money buys votes.

[Le Taz Hot]

8. It failed by a very slim margin.

It will be on the ballot again, I'm sure.

[LiberalLovinLug]

7. I couldn't believe that never passed in California

But then I couldn't believe Prop 8 did pass.

It shows the power of money. And the misleading ads it can buy. For all the hoopla about how Citizens United and all their money was defeated, they were still very influential.

It makes zero sense that consumers wouldn't want more information on labels rather than less. I'm curious what the main talking point that Monsanto and their backers used to sway the vote in California. Was it food costs going up?

[Le Taz Hot]

9. I don't have TV service

but, from what I understand, the ads were scare ads saying food prices would go up and that Mom-and-pop stores would be open to lawsuits if they didn't have proper GMO labeling or something like that. All I know is that there was enough money thrown in there by Monsanto, ConAgra, Duponte, et al and enough low-information voters out there to defeat the Proposition.

[tavalon]

3. In a way, that's excellent

but I feel sorry for TV watchers. They are going to be inundated with happy crappy claptrap from Monsanto.

[SoapBox]

5. Bravo!

[pnwmom]

6. Good. This is very important

for people with food allergies, among others. Labeling is vital.