Wisconsin Corn Growers Call for National GMO Approval and Food Labeling

With nearly 80 percent of the food produced using genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association is supporting the call for national approval of the technology and labeling of food.

The corn growers are asking the state’s Congressional delegation to support H.R. 4432, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2014. The bill would establish a federal standard for the safety and labeling of food and beverage products made with genetically modified ingredients.

“We can protect important grower technology and provide accurate and consistent consumer information regarding the treatment of GMOs in our food supply by requiring the FDA to test and approve GMOs before they hit our tables,” the corn growers said in a letter to the congressional delegation.

The bill reaffirms the FDA as the nation’s authority for the use and labeling of GMO food ingredients while providing consumers greater confidence by establishing a required FDA safety review process for all new GMO traits. Notably, the FDA would have the authority to mandate the labeling of any GMO food ingredients it determines would create a health, safety or nutrition issue.

The legislation would also empower the FDA to provide greater consistency in the market by defining the term “natural” for its use on food and beverage products. The clear definition of this commonly used term would offer consumers clarity about products allowing them to base choices on information verified instead of marketing claims.

The state corn growers said planting GMO crops provides farmers many benefits such as using less pesticides, increasing yields per acre, and even improving drought tolerance. GMOs are now found in 70-80% of the American food supply, and this delivers a number of tremendous benefits. Food is more abundant and affordable for everyone because farmers can produce more food with lower overhead.

WCGA is a membership organization that represents the interest of state corn growers in the growth and management of corn grown for on-farm feeding and commercial sale. WCGA works with other organizations in areas of mutual concern, and brings together corn growers to provide information and education at regional corn conferences and the annual Wisconsin Corn/Soy EXPO. As part of NCGA, WCGA represents corn grower interests nationally and internationally and also sponsors annual corn yield contests.