"Court Battle Looms Over Vermont’s GMO Food Labeling Law"

"MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has signed a first-in-the-nation law requiring the labeling of food produced by genetic engineering. 'I am proud that we’re leading the way in the United States to require labeling of genetically engineered food,' said the governor. 'More than 60 countries have already restricted or labeled these foods, and now one state, Vermont, will also ensure that we know what’s in the food we buy and serve our families.'

'Vermonters take our food and how it is produced seriously, and we believe we have a right to know what’s in the food we buy,' Governor Shumlin told the crowd gathered on the State House lawn for the signing event May 8. 'As you know, we’re in the middle of an agricultural renaissance in Vermont because more and more Vermonters care about where their food comes from, what’s in it, and who grew it,' said the governor. 'It makes sense that we are again leading the nation in this important step forward.' ...

There are 85 bills on GMO labeling before lawmakers in 30 states, with more than half introduced this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, and there are two different bills making their way through Congress.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association, GMA, a national trade organization, has declared its intent to sue to overturn Vermont’s new law, which it calls 'critically flawed and not in the best interests of consumers.'"

Environment News Service had the story May 23, 2014.