Chairman Conaway’s Statement
House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX)
House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued a statement in response to the Senate’s recently reached deal regarding the labeling of products of biotechnology.
I applaud the tireless efforts of Chairman Roberts to find an agreement on biotechnology labeling. It is important to note that nearly one year ago, 275 House members voted on a bill to establish a voluntary nation-wide program that would give consumers access to information about their food, protect advancements in food production and innovation, and end the patchwork of state laws threatening interstate commerce. Unfortunately, due to Senator Stabenow dragging this process out for months, Congress will not be able to act before Vermont’s mandatory labeling law goes into effect on July 1. Although the House acted in a timely manner, I have just received the text of the this agreement and will need time to review the language and the varied impacts, be they positive or negative, before stating my support or opposition.