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GMOs A Quiz By Kelly Johnston Vice President Government Affairs Kelly Johnston Slide 2 What is a GMO? Slide 3 GMOs Are... Slide 4 What 4 Ways are Foods Modified? Slide 5 Slide 6 What GMOs are Currently Available? Slide 7 Slide 8 Are GMOs Subject to Govt Review? Slide 9 Slide 10 What is Federal Policy for GM Labeling? Current Policy 1992 FDA Policy: Labeling required only if food is materially different (introduction of allergen, change in nutrition, etc.) FDA reviews premarket safety assessments on a voluntary basis No preemption of state labeling laws related to GM foods Current FDA Policy FDA has no basis for concluding that bioengineered foods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way, or that, as a class, foods developed by the new techniques present any different or greater safety concern than foods developed by traditional plant breeding. Slide 11 Most Common Arguments Against GMOs: I have a right to know whats in my food. You have a right to information that is truthful, non- misleading and accurately informs you about ingredients or processes that may affect health and safety. GMOs are untested, unproven and unsafe. Every major international science body in the world has reviewed multiple independent studiesin some cases numbering in the hundredsin coming to the consensus conclusion that GMO crops are as safe or safer than conventional or organic foods. But until now, the magnitude of the research on crop biotechnology has never been cataloged. In response to what they believed was an information gap, a team of Italian scientists summarized 1783 studies about the safety and environmental impacts of GMO foodsa staggering number. Jon Entine, Genetic Literacy Projectconsensus conclusionItalian scientists 1783 studies Slide 12 Most Common Arguments... 64 countries require labeling, why not us? Twenty-seven countries currently grow GM crops Most labeling laws have large loopholes (GM animal feed, restaurants, etc.) GM crops not widely available in those countries (EU, AUS) GMOs are bad for the environment. Planting of GMOs resulted in 370 million lb. reduction in U.S. pesticide applications from 1996-2009 We dont need GMOs to feed a growing world. FAO: World needs 60% more food by mid-century Arable land has decreased 15% since 1982 Slide 13 Whats the Answer? Solution: Federal GM Labeling Standards Premarket FDA Notification & Mandatory Consultation Requirements, with Safety Data (current process is technically voluntary) Provide FDA sole regulatory authority for labeling of GM foods in interstate commerce (federal preemption) Direct FDA to develop voluntary non-GMO food labeling standards Define natural for food labeling of FDA products (no current definition; several court challenges pending related to use of natural with foods containing GMOs) Status HR 4432 introduced in Congress; 37 bipartisan sponsors Discussions held with FDA and White House Consumer information about role and biotechnology in foods (http://www.fooddialogues.com/foodsource/gmo)http://www.fooddialogues.com/foodsource/gmo Slide 14 What We Discuss with Policy Makers Support for the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, HR 4432 What is the role and prevalence of genetically modified ingredients? What are the next GM commodities? What is the practical affect of state by state label mandates? What is the most practical and reasonable path forward? How can Campbell be helpful? Slide 15 The Strategy Support Federal legislation that has been introduced in the House (HR 4432) Strong, simultaneous grassroots advocacy from the broad agri-food community to Congress 615 letters to over 200 Members of the House and Senate from Campbell Aggressive truth telling campaign via the web, social media, and selected publications read by opinion leaders Continue opposing state by state labeling mandates Support lawsuit challenging Vermonts law as a violation of the Constitution (interstate commerce cause, First Amendment, etc.)