Voters Again Rejecting GMO Labeling At The Ballot Box

This week voters in the state of Washington appear to have turned back Initiative 522 which would have required agricultural products produced entirely or partly with genetic engineering, to be labeled as genetically engineered when offered for retail sale in Washington, beginning in July 2015. The measure would also have authorize state enforcement and civil penalties, and allow private enforcement actions.

A measure nearly identical to Washington’s was defeated in California last year.

Statewide results showed 55% of the voters rejecting the measure which was leading in only four counties — a margin that appeared unlikely to be overcome.

The initiative campaign put Washington at center stage in debates over both genetic engineering and the role of out-of-state funding in elections.

With $22 million in donations, the “No” campaign set a record for fundraising by one side in an initiative battle in Washington. Large donors included the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Monsanto, DuPont Pioneer and Bayer CropScience.

Almost 70% of the funding for the “Yes” campaign came from out-of-state businesses and organizations, led by California-based Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and the Center for Food Safety in Washington, D.C.

While similar laws have passed recently in Maine and Connecticut, they will not go into effect unless neighboring states also approve similar regulations.