GMO Labeling in NH is One Step Closer!

HB660 Moving Forward

NH’s Bill to Require Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods
By Bonnie Wright, NH Right To Know GMO
October 29, 2013

Concord, NH — For the past ten weeks, members of a subcommittee of NH’s Environment & Agriculture Committee have been meeting to study HB660, a bill that will require the labeling of genetically engineered foods, or foods that include genetically engineered ingredients. After listening to expert testimony, both supporting the bill and opposing it, today they finalized their decision, and voted 4:3 to recommend that HB660 be passed as amended.

The following NH Reps voted in favor of the bill: Subcommittee Chair Peter Bixby (D- Cheshire 1, Dover); Scott Burns (D-Merrimack 2, Franklin); Allenstown); Wayne Moynihan (D-Committee V-Chair, Coos 2, Dummer) and Lisa Whittermore (D-Rockingham 5, Londonderry). Voting against the bill were Bob Haefner (R-Hillsborough 37, Hudson); Jane Johnson (R-Cheshire 12, Swanzey); and Tara Sad (D-Committee Chair-Cheshire 1, Walpole). Not present were Alan Turcotte (D- Merrimack 22) and Linda Lauer (D-Grafton 15, Bath).

The next stage in the process is an Executive Session on November 7 of the full Environment and Agriculture Committee, when they will listen to the findings of the Subcommittee, and vote on recommending the bill to the full House.

In addition to the Subcommittee members, the full Environment & Agriculture Committee also includes Christy Bartlett (D-Merrimack 19, Concord); Rebecca Brown (D-Grafton 2, Sugar Hill); Guy Comtois (R-Belknap 7, Center Barnstead); Janice Gardner (D-Strafford 15, Dover); Richard Gordon (R-Rockingham 35, East Kingston); Warren Groen (R-Strafford 10, Rochester); David Miller (D-Strafford 23, Rochester); John O’Connor (R-Rockingham 6, Derry); Stephen Palmer (R-Hillsborough 23, Milford); James Parison (R-Hillsborough 25, New Ipswich); and Michele Peckham (R-Rockingham 22, North Hampton).

What is HB660?
House Bill 660 will require the labeling of genetically engineered or genetically modified organisms sold in New Hampshire. GE or GMO are plants or animals that have been created in labs by genetically engineering techniques using DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. These experimental combinations of genes from different species cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.

Genetically engineered foods were introduced into the American diet in 1994. There have been no long-term studies to prove that these foods are safe. The biotech industry has argued that they are safe, but a letter released last week by almost 100 global experts state that “the claimed consensus on GMO safety does not exist.”

New Hampshire’s bill will bring us in line with other New England states that have passed, or are working on, similar legislation. Connecticut and Maine have passed labeling bills, as has the Vermont House. (Vermont’s Senate will be voting on their bill in early 2014.) Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as more than 20 other states, are working on similar legislation. 64 other countries already require labeling.

HB600 was sponsored by Rep. Maureen Mann (Rockingham 32, Deerfield), with co-sponsors Rep. Linda Massimilla, (Grafton 1, Littleton); Rep. Robert Perry (Strafford 3, Strafford) and Rep. Ian Raymond (Belknap 4, Sanbornton). 

Passage of HB 660 will:

• Reduce and prevent consumer confusion and inadvertent deception and promote the disclosure of factual information on food labels;
• Create additional market opportunities for New Hampshire producers who are not certified organic producers and whose products are not produced using genetic engineering;
• Ensure consumers are provided with data from which they may make informed decisions for personal, health, environmental, religious, cultural or ethical reasons;
• Serve as a risk management tool enabling consumers, physicians and scientists to identify unintended health effects resulting from the consumption of genetically engineered foods.
• Exempt restaurants, alcoholic beverages and medical food from the disclosure requirement. Also exempt are foods derived from an animal if the animal was not genetically engineered but was fed GE feed
• Forbid genetically engineered foods from being labeled as “natural.” 
• Not ban GE or GM products; it is a labeling bill. 

For further information about HB660, please visit NHRIghtToKnowGMO.org

Prime bill sponsor, Rep. Mann, has this to say: This bill simply allows families to make decisions about what they eat. It bans nothing. Children under the age of 15 have been exposed to GE foods their entire lives, essentially they, and we, are the guinea pigs for GE products because there is no independent testing. Labeling will allow consumers, scientists and doctors to study and track the any effects.” She added, “Allow transparency and full information for consumers and let the market decide. That is what it is designed to do."

Rep. Smith says, “It is only through the actions of the individual states that labeling of genetically engineered foods will be required on a national level. Connecticut and Maine are on board and over 30 other states have legislation being considered. NH’s bill is a reasonable approach to a simple issue. It is the right of the consumer to know what is in the foods we purchase whether we are talking about flavors and colorings which are already required on labels, or whether the product was produced through genetic engineering.”

Rep. Ian Raymond says, "As consumers in a free society, we have a right to know what is in our food. The fact of the matter is, that rather than conducting long term independent epidemiological studies to determine the safety of genetically modified organisms, the biotech industry instead chooses to hide behind a regulatory veil, claiming "substantial equivalency." They have taken the stance that if it looks like corn and tastes like corn, it must be corn and therefore it is safe. Well, pardon me if I am a bit skeptical -- I don't wish to put the health of my family in the hands of biotech corporate giants whose main motive is profit (not to mention that historically, these are the same companies that gave us DDT, agent orange and other toxic chemicals). If their GMOs are safe, why are they afraid to allow independent testing to prove their case? Corn, in some cases, is now regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide. Next time you go shopping look at how many processed foods have high fructose corn syrup. Then ask yourself if you feel comfortable not knowing. We have a right to know!"

Rep. Perry: “Claims of product safety made in the past have proven to be grossly inaccurate, as in the use of Thalidomide, advertised as "completely safe" to prevent insomnia, but which ultimately caused widespread birth defects, including the shortening or absence of limbs. Do you trust the claims that the introduction of toxins into the food supply will have no ill effect on your health? It is prudent to be skeptical. Demand proper labeling of genetically engineered foods."

Rep. Massimilla: “As the ‘Live Free or Die’ state, NH citizens should have the right to know what is in their food and the freedom to choose accordingly!”