FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 21, 2015 Contact: American Sugarbeet Growers Washington, D.C. – Sugarbeet growers and process...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 21, 2015 Contact: American Sugarbeet Growers Washington, D.C. – Sugarbeet growers and processors from across the nation applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee today for holding an important hearing on the safety of genetically modified food ingredients and the importance of biotechnology. The hearing once again demonstrated the urgent need for legislation this year that would establish uniform science-based food labeling standards. “Today’s hearing is critically important to establishing fact-based labeling standards,” said Richard Gerstenberger, a Michigan farmer who serves as Chairman of the Board of the farmer-owned Michigan Sugar Company and Chairman of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association’s Biotechnology Committee. “Witnesses testified to both the safety of biotechnology and the harmful results of a patchwork of conflicting state labeling mandates. Refined sugar produced from biotech sugarbeets is identical to sugar produced from conventional sugarbeets or sugar cane. It was encouraging to see that members of the Committee seemed to be well versed on the issue and supportive of uniform science-based labeling efforts. It is essential that Congress acts promptly to address this issue this year.” “State legislatures, like those in North Dakota, Michigan and Idaho, have sent a clear message to their U.S. Senators and Representatives to fix this labeling issue,” said Laura Rutherford, a sugarbeet farmer from Grafton, North Dakota. “As a 9th generation farmer, a mother of three young boys and a marathon runner, I have a passion for healthy food and protecting the environment. This Senate hearing marked the fourth time in the past year that expert testimony to Congress affirmed what America’s farmers already know—there is overwhelming scientific consensus showing that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are safe for consumers and the environment.” “A national, uniform labeling standard for foods made with ingredients from genetically modified plants is a reasonable, common-sense solution that provides for consumers’ right to know in a manner that is in line with existing labeling precedent,” Rutherford said. “Only Congress has the ability to prevent a costly, confusing and conflicting patchwork of state labeling laws from taking effect next year and spreading across the country. Now is the time for action. Without it, consumers will be the ones to suffer most through higher food prices.” ### The American Sugarbeet Growers Association represents all sugarbeet growers in 11 states. The U.S. Beet Sugar Association represents all beet sugar processing cooperatives. The Beet Sugar Development Foundation represents all of the research and sugarbeet seed companies. The American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists represents those involved in agronomic and factory research.