Hawkins Welcomes Assembly Committee Passage of GMO Labeling Bill

(Albany, NY) Howie Hawkins, who is seeking the Green Party nomination for Governor, congratulated consumer advocates on having the GMO labeling legislation (A3525 – Rosenthal) pass out of the Consumers Affairs Committee today for the first time.

"New Yorkers have the right to know what is in their food. The labeling bill is a common sense measure with widespread public support," said Hawkins. The Green Party is one of many New York groups that have endorsed the legislation.

Hawkins said, however, as Governor he would go even further and support a moratorium on the planting of genetically engineered crops in New York due to the various health and environmental issues. GMOs have led to increased pesticide use and the development of superweeds, while threatening the loss of biodiversity. Most of the health and environmental risks of GMOs are ignored by governments' superficial regulations and safety assessments.

The bill, which passed out of a committee by a bare majority, requires the labeling of foods that have been produced with genetic engineering, providing consumers with basic information about what's in their food and how it's made. This will allow consumers to make informed choices when deciding what to eat and feed their families. There is currently no requirement for food producers to label foods that have been genetically modified.

Hawkins was in Albany to participate in a lobby day on behalf of single payer health care.