The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) thanked members of the United States Senate for approving a cloture motion today that will set up a final vote on legislation for a federal, uniform labeling system for foods produced using biotechnology. The final vote is expected to take place by Friday afternoon.

The legislation was negotiated by Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and would preempt Vermont’s state GMO labeling law that took effect July 1. The legislation would establish national guidelines for how companies disclose the presence of ingredients and foods made with biotechnology. Cloture was invoked Wednesday afternoon with the bipartisan support of 65 Senators. Members now have 30 hours to debate the measure before it moves to a final vote.

“We are now a major step closer to ending the confusion that has already arisen because of the Vermont law,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “With final passage by the Senate, approval by the House, and with President Obama’s signature, we can establish a national framework to provide information to consumers without stigmatizing agricultural biotechnology and complicating how companies market foods in interstate commerce.”

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has also announced their gratitude to the Senate for passing the bi-partisan legislation in an attempt to create federal guidelines for labeling genetically modified foods.

“DFA strongly supports the Roberts-Stabenow food biotechnology labeling agreement,” says John Wilson, Senior Vice President and Chief Fluid Marketing Officer, Dairy Farmers of America. “Consumers, farmers and food manufacturers all deserve clarity in food labeling laws so they can make the best decisions for their families and businesses.”