The American Soybean Association's Board of Directors met with lawmakers last week for its annual spring meeting to talk about a variety of issues facing soybean growers, especially GMO labeling and the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
While there, Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) introduced a bill (SB 2609) to make GMO laws uniform across the country instead of the current patchwork of state laws.
“The Roberts bill is the top priority of soybean farmers this spring and the closer we get to the July 1 implementation of the Vermont labeling law, the more important it becomes for Congress to step up and pass a national standard to avoid the convoluted and expensive patchwork that state-by-state solutions present,” ASA President Richard Wilkins said. “The message we’re taking to the Hill this week is one of urgency. Research shows that the Vermont law alone will add an additional $1,050 to the average American family’s grocery bill, which is reason enough to take action, but add to that the unwarranted stigmatization of safe and sustainable modern agricultural practices, and it’s clear that the time for the Senate to act is now.”
Wilkins also said the TPP is important to get through to President Barack Obama before his term is up because TPP can increase jobs and demand for exports, especially exports of soybean meal to feed animals.
In addition to GMO labeling and TPP, the ASA also addressed concerns about the fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, extending and reforming the biodiesel tax credit, and Cuban relations.
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