SR-59, As Adopted by Senate, September 24, 2015

            Substitute for Senate Resolution No. 59.

            A resolution to urge the United States Congress to enact legislation that requires uniform and science-based food labeling nationwide.

            Whereas, In the absence of a federal genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling standard, some states and localities have developed a patchwork of labeling proposals that can be confusing and misleading to consumers. Multiple local regulations increase agriculture and food production costs, requiring food companies operating in Michigan to create separate supply chains to be developed for each state; and

            Whereas, GMOs are found in 70 to 80 percent of the foods we eat and play a vital role in maintaining Michigan’s agriculture, food processing, and other industries.  In 2014, 100 percent of all sugar beets, 93 percent of all corn, and 91 percent of all soybeans grown in Michigan were genetically modified; and

            Whereas, A maze of regulations would cripple interstate commerce throughout the food supply and distribution chain and ultimately increase grocery prices for consumers by hundreds of dollars each year. A Cornell University study found that a patchwork of state labeling laws would increase food costs for a family by an average of $500 per year; and

            Whereas, On July 23, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation – the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599) – to avoid this patchwork of regulations and the costly challenges it creates; and

            Whereas, Senate passage of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act will allow consumers to have access to accurate and consistent information on products that contain GMOs by ensuring that labeling is national, uniform, and science-based. The bill also establishes a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-administered certification and labeling program, modeled after the USDA National Organic Program for non-GMO, organic foods; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the United States Congress to enact legislation that requires uniform and science-based food labeling nationwide; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.