Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator from Wisconsin for engaging on this issue and seeking clarification on this point. S. 764 amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. S. 764 does not amend the Organic Foods Production Act or its rules or regulations. More specifically, section 293(f) is only intended to require that USDA consider aligning the rules and regulations of the new GMO disclosure program established under this bill with the rules and regulations of the existing National Organic Program, not the inverse. Again, I will clarify that S.764 does not provide any authority to amend the Organic Foods Production Act or its rules and regulations. In addition, I would draw to the attention of my colleague another section of this bill, section 292(b), which states: "(b) APPLICATION OF DEFINITION.-The definition of the term `bioengineering' under section 291 shall not affect any other definition, program, rule, or regulation of the Federal Government.'' I believe this provision clarifies that nothing in the new bioengineered food disclosure standard established in this legislation would require USDA to take any action to change the existing Organic Foods Production Act rules and regulations. ____________________”