Yearly Archives: 2016

Vermont Will Not Enforce GMO Labeling Law

Posted & filed under News.

Vermont will not enforce GE Food Labeling Law
AG’s Office issues statement Tuesday
Following President Obama’s signing of S.764, which establishes a “National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard,” the Vermont Attorney General will no longer be enforcing Act 120, Vermont’s first-in-the-nation law requiring the labeling of food produced with genetic engineering. “We successfully defended our law for two years, and as a result many companies are now disclosing that their products are produced with genetic engineering,” said Attorney General William H. Sorrell. “We hope they will continue to do so going forward, not because our law requires it, but because it is the right thing to do,” he continued.
Under the federal law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has two years to draft regulations to implement the labeling standard.
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President Obama Signs Historic GMO Labeling Law

Posted & filed under News.

On Friday, July 29, 2016 President Obama signed into law legislation to establish federal GMO labeling standards.  This hard fought legislation preempts all state legislation, including the State of Vermont, effective immediately.

The USDA now has two years to generate regulations for the labeling of GMO products.  MGFPA will be actively involved in this regulatory process and welcomes our members’ input.

 

 

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Two New Board Directors Named

Posted & filed under News.

Mike Violette, President and CEO of AG of New England recently stepped down as a Board Director after decades of service to the MGFPA.  Mike was recently promoted and recommended that Sue Johnson be named to fulfill his term.  “We’re very pleased to welcome Sue to the Board of Directors. She brings a wealth of experience and will be asset to the Board,” said Jim Lessor, MGFPA Board President.

Bob Cooper, Pine State Convenience, A Division of Core-Mark submitted his resignation after serving as a Board Director for nearly 8 years.  Bob’s has assumed increased responsibilities with the recent merger of Pine State Convenience and Core-Mark and highly recommended that Sheila Gibbons, Director of Spirits, Maine Spirits Company.  Maine Spirits Company is managed by Pine State Trading Company and operates the state liquor contract.  “We so pleased to welcome Sheila to the Board. Sheila’s work with the 500+ agency liquor stores and working knowledge of the industry will be invaluable to the Association,”  said Jim Lessor.

We’re grateful to Mike and Bob for their dedication to Maine’s grocery and food producer community and for their years of service to the MGFPA.  They will be recognized at the 2016 Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the October 19 Maine Food Means Business Summit in Freeport, Maine.

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Senate Advances Federal Mandatory GMO Labeling Bill

Posted & filed under News.

The GMO labeling bill from Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and ranking member Debbie Stabenow is headed for consideration on the Senate floor following a 65-32 vote on Wednesday, July 6 to limit debate on the measure. Maine Senators Collins and King voted against the measure.

Vote summary here.

The motion gives lawmakers 30 hours to debate the measure before a final vote, which is expected before the Senate leaves town for the weekend on Thursday, July 7, 2016.

Roberts told reporters today that he has the votes to pass the bill. Once it clears the Senate, the measure will head to the House floor, where lawmakers are leery of its mandatory labeling provisions. The House passed a voluntary labeling standard (H.R. 1599) last July.

Here’s also a link to NGA’s Press Release.

 

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