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NCGA: Labeling compromise can’t ‘stigmatize’ technology

The director of public policy for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says he’s confident the two sides on the GMO labeling issue will find a compromise. But Zach Kinne says there is one aspect of the debate on which NCGA will not compromise.

“Any disclosure that we do has to be done in a way that doesn’t risk stigmatizing the technology,” Kinne says. “The other side says it’s about a ‘right-to-know’. But if you dig down a little bit, it’s really about getting something on a package of food that they can then attack and attempt to scare consumers from buying that food.”

That is the same stance taken by the American Soybean Association (ASA).

Kinne says NCGA is all for more transparency and giving consumers more information.

“But we just have to be very careful on how we do that and make sure that we’re not passing bad policy just to get a deal that, in the end, will stigmatize this technology.”

NCGA president Chip Bowling issued a statement saying “the impending implementation of a patchwork of state labeling legislation will soon harm both the American families who grow food and those who buy it. Given the overwhelming scientific evidence of the safety of this technology and the vital role it will play in meeting the growing need to feed a growing global population, on-pack labeling that would create confusion and stigmatize biotechnology serves only a small activist population at the expense of consumers.  We urge the Senate to stand with farmers and consumers, not political activists. We must continue working to solve this critical issue.”

AUDIO: Zach Kinne