WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The genetically modified organisms (GMO) labeling law that passed the US Senate and is set for a vote in the House of Representatives was written by the agro-industrial giant Monsanto, US Senator Jeff Merkley told Sputnik on Wednesday.
"This [bill] is written by and for Monsanto," Merkley said, encouraging the House of Representatives to "thoroughly" reject the bill when it is brought to a vote later this week.
On July 7, the Senate passed the compromise GMO labeling bill to establish national standards regarding GMO labeling. The standards will give food manufacturers a number of options, including a QR code or toll free number, in labeling products with primary ingredients that are genetically modified.
Under the legislation’s definition of genetically modified or bioengineered crops, a significant portion of GMO products already on the market will not be required to carry the label, according to critics of the bill.
Markley explained that because of loopholes in the legislation, Monsanto-made products "would not be covered by it, because the definition excludes them."
Monsanto is the largest seed company in the world and specializes in the development of genetically modified crops.
