Washington, D.C. – The American Bakers Association (ABA) is grateful for the engagement of its members that ensured congressional action was taken to preempt Vermont’s GMO labeling requirement.
“Members of the baking industry deserve a great deal of credit for their tireless work in pushing this bill across the finish line. Thanks to nearly 5,000 emails, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings on Capitol Hill, we were able to show our elected officials that a state-by-state patchwork of labeling requirements would dismantle our industry’s finely tuned distribution network, and inaction was not an option,” said Fred Penny, ABA Chairman and President of Bimbo Bakeries USA.
Combating Vermont’s GMO labeling requirement has been the top priority of ABA. Through the utilization of its grassroots action center and member fly-ins, ABA was able to mobilize its membership and show Congress exactly how inaction would impact the industry’s nearly $103 Billion economic activity and over 706,000 jobs across the country.
“ABA would like to express its gratitude to the congressional leadership on both sides of Capitol Hill that worked to guarantee bakers can continue to provide their wholesome, nutritious products nation-wide without the undue burden of individual state labeling laws,” said Robb MacKie, ABA President and CEO. “Passage of the bipartisan preemption agreement would not have been possible without the hard work of Congressman Pompeo (R-KS 4), Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Their staffs, and many other dedicated members of Congress, saw to it that bakers and food manufacturers had the flexibility needed to inform consumers with accurate, science-based information,” added MacKie.
The bill now moves to the President’s desk for signature into law. Once signed, Vermont’s labeling standard is immediately preempted and no longer required.
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About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 1000 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 706,000 highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association