Farm Bureau establishes website to lobby for federal genetic crop labeling standard

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) said Wednesday that it has established a website that gives farmers and ranchers an easy way to show their support for a national, science-based labeling standard for genetically modified organism (GMO) crops.

The website, getamoveon.fb.org, allows farmers and ranchers to email members of Congress to support the Safe and Accurate Labeling Act. The bill would provide a federal standard and avoid a confusing patchwork of 50 state GMO labeling policies.

AFBF President Bob Stallman said it is time for farmers and ranchers to take action in support of innovation in agriculture. “Access to crop traits that resist pests, diseases and drought stress is helping farmers across the nation grow more food using less land, water, fuel and pesticides,” Stallman said. “Biotechnology will offer even more benefits in the future.”

Stallman said it is critical that farmers help lawmakers understand that there’s a cost associated with discouraging agricultural innovation.

“That cost will go well beyond the higher prices consumers will pay at the supermarket if each state passes its own GMO labeling,” Stallman said.