WASHINGTON, D.C. ? U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced his landmark legislation to protect the use of agriculture biotechnology and to ensure consumers have greater access to food information was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the President?s desk to be signed into law.
The bipartisan legislation, S.764, crafted by Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., was approved by the House on a 306-117 vote.
?I?m pleased that Members of the House today sided with sound science and the American farmer,? said Chairman Roberts. ?In the course of negotiating this legislation for nearly a year, I am proud this work brought together the largest coalition of agriculture and food groups ever. Over 1,000 organizations joined me in putting the farmer and rancher first.
?In the past, many of these organizations were at odds when crafting farm bills or other agriculture policy priorities. The strong and unified support for our bill among these agriculture groups proves that we put forward a sound solution to biotechnology disclosure, but most important, it shows what can be accomplished for farmers when agriculture speaks with one voice. At a time when agriculture biotechnology is fulfilling an increasingly critical role meeting world demand for food, agriculture must speak with one voice to confront misinformation about its practices and operations.
?I have said this is the most important food and agriculture policy debate of the last 20 years. I am confident we have put forward a comprehensive solution that considers all aspects of our food production and delivery system while keeping the consumer top of mind.
?I am proud of this solution and the bipartisan example we have set for future agriculture policy discussions. I?m grateful for the leadership of fellow Kansan, Congressman Mike Pompeo, and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway in getting this across the finish line in the House and for the partnership of Senator Debbie Stabenow.
?Averting a confusing patchwork of state labeling mandates serves the American economy, farmers and ranchers, and consumers well.?
