Opportunity Is Knocking

 On Friday, July 29, 2016, President Barack Obama formally signed into law Senate bill 764, which requires that GMO ingredients be disclosed on most food packaging.  It also ushers in an era of unprecedented opportunity for agriculture.

While agriculturists and associated organizations have traditionally been opposed to GMO labelling, this bill constitutes a compromise that is livable for both farmers and consumers.  Instead of focusing on the “loss” of the labelling argument, let’s instead turn our attention to the tremendous second chance we in agriculture are being given.

In accordance with the newly enacted law, the United States Department of Agriculture has two years to write the rules that will truly shape how the law will be implemented.  A lot can happen in two years, and the biggest thing that needs to happen in this time frame is: we need to coalesce as an industry and get this right the first time. 

The rules will be crafted by bureaucrats who may or may not have an agricultural background. Oppositional forces have already turned their attention to waging this battle all over again as USDA considers how to move forward.  And our consumers are just as confused as ever.We as agriculturists have an important role to play in the coming 24 months.  With the bill’s charge to USDA to gather public input about the disclosure requirement, we have an opportunity to share both our personal insights on how the process should proceed, as well as speaking up for our respective professional industry organizations. Submit your comments, written and oral, to the department. By law, USDA must consider all public input received, which guarantees that our voice will be heard.

We must take advantage of this opportunity, because you can be sure that those who don’t have agriculture’s best interests at heart are doing the same.

In addition, we can’t forget our consumers.  Those who eat the food we produce are so inundated with information (both correct and incorrect) that they have no idea who or what to believe.  It’s in our own best interests to continue engaging our friends, families, and neighbors in conversations that allow for real information from real people. They have a voice too, and have the potential to be a valuable asset in ensuring a positive outcome for agriculture.  Education, not intimidation, must be our strategy.

We’re playing a long game, and the issues we face will continue to arise, albeit in different forms.  We cannot be content to sit back and let others dictate how our products will be marketed in the future.  Recognize our second chance, and be courageous enough to use it well.