A Vermont bill requiring labeling of foods with ingredients derived from biotech crops would hurt farmers and confuse consumers in Vermont and beyond, according to North Dakota State Senator Terry Wanzek, writing in a Vermont news website.

“Biotechnology is an accepted tool of conventional agriculture,” wrote Wanzek, himself a farmer.  “Around the world, farmers have grown more than 3 billion acres of GM crops-that is, plants bred to have a natural resistance to insects and weeds, resulting in a bountiful and sustainable food ingredient.”

Given that scientific evidence has repeatedly confirmed the safety of foods with ingredients from biotech crops, Senator Wanzek questioned the need for labeling, noting that the addition of yet another label on food products will only cause confusion for consumers. 

“Consumers expect their food labels to carry pertinent facts rather than needless and confusing data,” he wrote.  “As a farmer and consumer, I want them to have that information.” Read more.