permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl@intrex.net>]

Subject: GMO Labeling Ballot Measure in Oregon
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 16:51:20 -0700
From: "Stephenson, Garry" <Garry.Stephenson@ORST.EDU>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

Greetings,

Some of you may be following the ballot measure in Oregon that will
require labeling of all GMO ingredients in food products. It has been a
contentious debate with over $6 million in funds from outside of Oregon
being used to fight the measure. Proponents say people have the right to
know what is in the food they eat. Opponents say the food is safe and
the cost of labeling would be prohibitive. Below is a news release
related to a study by an Oregon State University agricultural economist
on the estimated cost of labeling.  It includes a link to the full
report. The cost is less than claimed by opponents to the measure.

Garry

Garry Stephenson
Extension Small Farm Program
Oregon State University

OSU ECONOMIST ESTIMATES COST OF GM FOOD LABELS (10/23/02)

CORVALLIS - An economics professor at Oregon State University reports
that requiring labels for genetically modified foods could cost an
average Oregonian less than a dollar a year, or as much as $10,
depending on how requirements are defined and applied.
<....>
The entire text of Jaeger's study can be found at
http://eesc.oregonstate.edu. Click on "publications and videos," then
select "community development and government" to access the document.
<....>
Oregonians will decide Nov. 5 whether to approve Measure 27, which would
require labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods and ingredients. If
voters pass the measure, Oregon would become the first state in the
nation to require such labeling.
<....>
By Theresa Novak, 541-737-3378
SOURCE: William Jaeger, 541-737-1419