December 9, 2015 The Honorable Charles E. Schumer The ...
December 9, 2015 The Honorable Charles E. Schumer United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, We urge you to support legislation as part of the Congress’ end-of-year spending and policy bill to establish one national approach to “GMO” labeling – an approach that will provide consistent, sciencebased information to all American consumers. In recent years, we have seen a heightened curiosity among consumers about how our food is grown in the United States, including the use of biotechnology in food and agricultural production. Our organizations embrace this consumer interest and pledge to work with the public and with our state and federal officials to better explain advances in agricultural innovation that help American farmers meet market, food security, and environmental demands. Agricultural innovation, including the use of biotechnology, is important to all Americans because it enables plant and animal producers to increase production of healthful food using less land, while conserving soil, water, and on-farm energy. These benefits are passed on to New York consumers who reap the advantage of affordable food prices, greater access to nutritious food, an improved environment, a strengthened rural economy, and enhanced domestic and international food security. This year, Congress is pursuing a politically viable and science-based approach to the labeling of foods containing bioengineered ingredients, or whole foods that are bioengineered varieties – sometimes known as “GMOs.” The bipartisan solution would provide consistent information to consumers across the country without disadvantaging agricultural innovation or suggesting that one type of farming is better or worse than another. It would also stop states and localities from establishing a patchwork of different food labeling laws that only serve to increase the cost of food for New York consumers and create a substantial adverse economic effect on interstate commerce. At a recent U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee hearing to examine the use of biotechnology in food and agriculture, Gary Hirshberg, chairman and former CEO of Stonyfield Farm, testified in support of a national system to provide consumers with information about bioengineered ingredients, so called “GMOs,” in food. Mr. Hirshberg noted, “I certainly don’t support – nor have we supported – the 50 state patchwork solution. That would be a nightmare for all of us.”
We agree with this sentiment and hope you will support the inclusion of a viable, nationally consistent, and science-based “GMO” labeling solution within the omnibus spending and policy bill currently being drafted by Congress. We look forward to working with you to ensure the citizens of New York fully appreciate the value of agricultural innovation and biotechnology. Do not hesitate to contact any of us with questions or if we can be helpful as you talk about “GMOs” with our neighbors and friends throughout the Empire State. Sincerely, Rick Grant PhD., President Northeast Agribusiness & Feed Alliance 194 Washington Ave., Ste. 305 Albany, NY 12210 Nathan Tinker, PhD., Executive Director New York Bio 205 East 42nd St., 14th Floor New York NY 10017 Dean Norton, President New York Farm Bureau 159 Wolf Road P.O. Box 5330 Albany, NY 12205 Brian Reeves, President New York State Vegetable Growers Association 8351 Lewiston Rd. 3-304 Batavia, NY 14020 Bruce Krupke, Vice President Northeast Dairy Foods Association, Inc. 427 S. Main Street N. Syracuse, NY 13212 Stephen Coye, President NYS Grange 100 Grange Place Cortland, NY 13045 Elizabeth Seme, Executive Director NYS Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 612 4 Youngs Place Latham, NY 12110 Jeremy Schulz, President NYS Agribusiness Association P. O. Box 268 Macedon, NY 14502
The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, We urge you to support legislation as part of the Congress’ end-of-year spending and policy bill to establish one national approach to “GMO” labeling – an approach that will provide consistent, sciencebased information to all American consumers. In recent years, we have seen a heightened curiosity among consumers about how our food is grown in the United States, including the use of biotechnology in food and agricultural production. Our organizations embrace this consumer interest and pledge to work with the public and with our state and federal officials to better explain advances in agricultural innovation that help American farmers meet market, food security, and environmental demands. Agricultural innovation, including the use of biotechnology, is important to all Americans because it enables plant and animal producers to increase production of healthful food using less land, while conserving soil, water, and on-farm energy. These benefits are passed on to New York consumers who reap the advantage of affordable food prices, greater access to nutritious food, an improved environment, a strengthened rural economy, and enhanced domestic and international food security. This year, Congress is pursuing a politically viable and science-based approach to the labeling of foods containing bioengineered ingredients, or whole foods that are bioengineered varieties – sometimes known as “GMOs.” The bipartisan solution would provide consistent information to consumers across the country without disadvantaging agricultural innovation or suggesting that one type of farming is better or worse than another. It would also stop states and localities from establishing a patchwork of different food labeling laws that only serve to increase the cost of food for New York consumers and create a substantial adverse economic effect on interstate commerce. At a recent U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee hearing to examine the use of biotechnology in food and agriculture, Gary Hirshberg, chairman and former CEO of Stonyfield Farm, testified in support of a national system to provide consumers with information about bioengineered ingredients, so called “GMOs,” in food. Mr. Hirshberg noted, “I certainly don’t support – nor have we supported – the 50 state patchwork solution. That would be a nightmare for all of us.”
We agree with this sentiment and hope you will support the inclusion of a viable, nationally consistent, and science-based “GMO” labeling solution within the omnibus spending and policy bill currently being drafted by Congress. We look forward to working with you to ensure the citizens of New York fully appreciate the value of agricultural innovation and biotechnology. Do not hesitate to contact any of us with questions or if we can be helpful as you talk about “GMOs” with our neighbors and friends throughout the Empire State. Sincerely, Rick Grant PhD., President Northeast Agribusiness & Feed Alliance 194 Washington Ave., Ste. 305 Albany, NY 12210 Nathan Tinker, PhD., Executive Director New York Bio 205 East 42nd St., 14th Floor New York NY 10017 Dean Norton, President New York Farm Bureau 159 Wolf Road P.O. Box 5330 Albany, NY 12205 Brian Reeves, President New York State Vegetable Growers Association 8351 Lewiston Rd. 3-304 Batavia, NY 14020 Bruce Krupke, Vice President Northeast Dairy Foods Association, Inc. 427 S. Main Street N. Syracuse, NY 13212 Stephen Coye, President NYS Grange 100 Grange Place Cortland, NY 13045 Elizabeth Seme, Executive Director NYS Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 612 4 Youngs Place Latham, NY 12110 Jeremy Schulz, President NYS Agribusiness Association P. O. Box 268 Macedon, NY 14502
