Friday, June 26, 2015

USDA Deputy Administrator Discusses Voluntary GMO Labeling Program

  On June 25, 2015, The House Agricultural Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a public hearing reviewing USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) programs. 
 
  At the hearing, Deputy Administrator of Livestock Poultry and Seed Program for USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, Dr. Craig Morris, testified regarding AMS recently approving a process verified program that allows companies to voluntarily seek third-party verification to market their products as non-GMO that are 99.1% or above non-genetically engineered material.  According to the AMS program, if a company’s product is verified, they are permitted to sell that product using the USDA Process Verified Shield.


  Chairman of the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Rodney Davis (R-IL), remarked in his closing statements that USDA has “the capability and resources to provide valuable oversight of these voluntary marketing claims” and that the U.S. currently has “a robust regulatory review process to ensure human, plant and animals health, as well as environmental health.”

Written by Katharine Richter - Research Assistant

June 26, 2015

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