Editorial comment: If TAFTA (Transatlantic Free Trade Area), which has been under negotiation since 2013 becomes law, it will enable the big multinational corporations to sue states and countries for denying them the right to pollute their land and poison their inhabitants. Any loss of profits because of resistance to the multinationals, such as the case in the below article, will be seen as a breach against Free Trade and will be forcefully punished. (called TTIP in the U.S. --Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement) -- SON
See TTIP -- 'Grave Threat to our Democratic and Consumer Rights'
|
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin last month signed Vermont's first-in-the-nation GMO labeling bill into law on the Statehouse steps in Montpelier. Joining him was Brigid Armbrust, 11, of West Hartford (in black), who launched a letter-writing campaign in support of GMO labeling. (Photo by John Herrick/VTDigger) |
Powerful lobbyist groups claim 'free speech' as they file suit against law that says consumers should know what's in their foodVermont's Attorney General William Sorrellon has said his office is
ready for a "heck of a fight" after some of the most powerful members of
the nation's food industry filed suit on Thursday challenging the
state's new law that requires the labeling of packaged food containing
genetically modified (GMO) ingredients.
"Every U.S. citizen should be concerned when a
multi-billion dollar corporate lobbying group sues in federal court to
overturn a state's right to govern for the health and safety of its
citizens." —Ronnie Cummins, OCA |
Though not unexpected, the official filing of the federal lawsuit
(pdf) against Vermont—brought by Grocery Manufacturers Association
(GMA), the Snack Food Association, the International Dairy Foods
Association and the National Association of Manufacturers—marks the
beginning of a legal battle that could have far-reaching implications in
the national fight over GMO food.
Vermont's new GMO labeling mandate, passed by the state legislature
in April and signed into law by Gov. Peter Shumlin in May, is the first
of its kind in the nation and requires labeling of most products
containing genetically-altered ingredients by 2016.
- "The people of Vermont have said loud and clear they have a right to know what is in their food," said Falko Schilling, a consumer protection advocate with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
Despite the public's widespread support for the law, the food
industry lobbyists are challenging the labeling requirement on free
speech grounds.
"Act 120 imposes burdensome new speech requirements — and
restrictions — that will affect, by Vermont's count, eight out of every
ten foods at the grocery store," said the GMA in a statement on
Thursday.
But Ronnie Cummins, executive director of the Organic Consumers
Association, defended the Vermont law and said the industry lawsuit was
simply an example of large corporate interests trying to intimidate
other states who are now considering labeling laws of their own.
As Cummins told the Burlington Free Press:
"Every U.S. citizen should be concerned when a multi-billion dollar
corporate lobbying group sues in federal court to overturn a state's
right to govern for the health and safety of its citizens."
Just last week, a national poll conducted
by Consumer Reports showed an overwhelming majority of U.S. consumers
(more than 90 percent) think that before GMO food is sold it should be
labeled accordingly. Numerous other polls
in recent years have shown similar levels of support and the "right to
know" movement that supports labeling has focused on state-level laws as
a way to forge progress outside of Washington, DC. where the food
industry holds considerable power and influence. Source: Common Dreams
|