State GMO Legislation

STATE GMO LEGISLATION

Several legislative bills to regulate the growing prevalence of genetically modified or engineered organisms (GMOs) in foods have been reintroduced in the NYS Legislature this session. A one sentence bill summary appears below. Consumer rights and the right to farm (organically or conventionally without using genetically modified crops) are at risk due to the current lack of adequate regulation of GMOs. Voice your opinion to your legislators! For the full text of the bills, add the Assembly bill number to the following web page http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=.

Moratorium Bill: First introduced in 1999, this legislation would impose a five year moratorium on the planting of genetically modified crops in NYS while impacts are studied. It would go into effect a year after it is passed (A2826 /S1397).
Mandatory labeling: This bill would require that foods containing genetically engineered products be labeled as such (A4206 / S1834). Another bill (A2192, S3617) would require the labeling of milk produced with Bovine Growth Hormone.
Study Bill: New this year and with only an Assembly bill sponsor, A1809 would appropriate $300,000 for a study of genetically engineered foods, to be presented to the legislature one year after bill passage.
Voluntary Labeling Bill: This legislation circumvents true consumer choice by allowing companies to label their products as GMO-free if they wish (A4458 /S176).