To compete in the global market, U.S. farmers must continually strive for economy and efficiency. They must maximize yield and combat threats from disease, pests and weather - without harming the environment. Biotechnology is the key to achieving this goal. We've come a long way since 1982, when biotechnology was first commercialized with the production of insulin for diabetes. We are entering an era of tremendous opportunity for agriculture - and all of society - but we face numerous challenges.

While farmers recognize the safety, benefits and potential of biotechnology, we also recognize that this technology has become the target of activist organizations. The rhetoric of the anti-biotechnology forces has been widely covered in the news media, both in the United States and abroad. This has resulted in confused consumers, skeptical trading partners and calls for the mandatory labeling of foods and food ingredients derived from biotechnology.

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require a special label on any product derived through biotechnology unless it significantly differs from its traditional counterpart. The labeling of foods and ingredients is required when there is a significant compositional change in the product, when the food is nutritionally different from its traditional counterpart, or when a potential allergen has been introduced. If the technology or the food derived from it is not safe, FDA will not permit it to be marketed.

NCGA supports consumer choice through standards for goods that do not contain products of biotechnology. Consistent with current FDA regulation, we support voluntary labeling of foods and agricultural products that identifies attributes that are important to consumers and accurately conveys information without being misleading. We feel that the labeling of non-biotech products provides a comprehensive framework for consumer protection and choice.

Mandatory labeling, meanwhile, has the potential to mislead consumers into believing that products of biotechnology are either "different" from conventional foods or present a risk - even though FDA and other regulatory agencies have determined that the food is safe. This could lead to the very kind of confusion that FDA has tried to thwart

NCGA urges Congress to support FDA's current science-based policy on labeling and to oppose efforts to mandate labeling of food or food products produced through biotechnology. We oppose the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, introduced in the House (H.R. 3377), by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), and in the Senate (S. 2080) by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). The bills would require the labeling of food products that have been genetically engineered, altered or otherwise modified.

ST. LOUIS OFFICE

WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE