Feds slow to respond to state GMO task force

Federal authorities have been slow to answer questions about genetic engineering regulations asked by an Oregon task force assembled by Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Kitzhaber launched the task force early this year to write a report framing the controversy on genetically modified organisms and how theyre regulated in Oregon.

Task force members held a teleconference in early June with representatives from the USDA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which jointly regulate biotechnology.

Task force members followed up with two sets of questions to clarify such issues as how the government increases tolerance levels of pesticides on biotech crops. They requested a response by mid-August. As of the task forces latest meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 3, only the FDA provided responses to the questions, according to state officials at the meeting.

I personally am disappointed they have not been able to come back to us with concrete responses, says Ivan Maluski, director of Friends of Family Farmers, a group thats critical of federal oversight of biotechnology.

Stephanie Page of the Oregon Department of Agriculture says representatives from USDA and EPA have apologized for the delay, citing the absences of key officials.

It appears that some of the FDAs responses left task force members underwhelmed.

Specifically, the task force asked FDA whether the agency is enforcing laws against misleading labeling of genetically modified organisms in food.

Agency officials told the task force that the agency doesnt consider the presence of GMO ingredients a material fact that must be disclosed to consumers, but supports voluntary labeling.

What struck me by their answer is that they didnt really answer the question, says Connie Kirby, vice president of scientific and technical affairs for the Northwest Food Processors Association, an industry group that opposes mandatory labeling.

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Feds slow to respond to state GMO task force