A group of organic seed farmers has withdrawn from the Organic Trade Association after the latter endorsed federal legislation requiring labels on foods containing genetically modified organisms.

The Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association officially dropped its OTA membership as a result of the larger association's "duplicity towards organic farmers and consumers," the group said in a July 13 statement. Organic seed farmers represented by OSGATA are upset OTA endorsed a Senate bill they believe is a corporate sellout to Monsanto and other large agribusinesses.

"It's clear that Organic Trade Association has come under the control of a small group of lobbyists controlled by giant food corporations that also own organic brands," OSGATA President Jim Gerristen said. "In an effort to protect their own bottom lines and those of their parent companies, the reckless actions of these large parent-owned organic companies threaten the survival of organic farmers and the organic community we have all worked so hard for decades to build." http://bit.ly/29ReAa7

The proposed bill would require labels on GMO foods, although those labels could take the form of QR codes consumers would need to scan with smartphones to learn whether the food has GMOs in it. The legislation won the support of many large food companies and their associations, primarily because it would supersede more restrictive state labeling laws like the one in place in Vermont.

OTA gave a somewhat hesitant endorsement of the Senate bill in June, saying that while the legislation isn't perfect, it still represents a major advance for the organic industry.

"Some critics say it is a victory for big agriculture and big corporate interests," OTA said in its statement. "We understand how some may be fundamentally dissatisfied with this compromise solution, especially as it includes an option to reveal the presence of GMOs through technology that would require a smartphone and internet access.

"OTA doesn't like that option, and we are urging all companies, faced with the choice of how to disclose GMO ingredients, to choose to print a simple and clear statement of GMO content on the product label," the association added. "This is the most effective and transparent way to communicate with consumers." http://bit.ly/2a0PtD5

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Veterinarian association to vote on whether top staff should be vets
• Beer Institute members agree to use nutrition labels
• Telecom associations object to FCC broadband privacy rules
• Last week for fly-ins before Congress starts summer recess
• Association: New Jersey shutdown will cost millions