The International Dairy Foods Association has praised legislation proposed by Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts that would create a national uniform standard on biotechnology labeling, and called for urgent action to take up and pass the legislation.

“The bill proposed by Chairman Roberts provides a common-sense, national food labeling standard that brings consistency and transparency to the marketplace, and will ensure consumers have access to more product information than ever before without stigmatizing a safe, proven technology that is a central part of modern farming,” said J. David Carlin, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs. “We appreciate Chairman Roberts’ leadership and we look forward to working towards passage of this important legislation.”

The proposed bill would establish a national voluntary GMO labeling standard to be developed by USDA within two years of the bill’s enactment. The bill would also prohibit any State from setting separate GMO labeling requirements, and also includes an educational component that will inform consumers about the safety and accessibility of information on agricultural biotechnology.

The Senate Ag Committee will hold a business meeting on Feb. 25 at 10:00am to consider the Chairman’s Mark on Biotechnology Labeling Solutions.