Vermont says labels will be required on GM seeds
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Kerr says labels will be required on genetically engineered seeds
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=2505674
MONTPELIER, Vt. Companies selling genetically engineered seeds in Vermont will have to include a "plain English disclosure" on labels.
That's the word from Agriculture Secretary Steve Kerr.
He says the words, "these seeds have been genetically engineered," will have to appear on the label.
Companies will have to specify what traits have been conferred through biotechnology.
Kerr described his decision in an e-mail to advocates.
The law went into effect on October first without rules and without any guidance from the Agency of Agriculture.
Kerr says he wanted to give companies some flexibility in how they complied.
But he decided on the specific rules after Monsanto Corporation and Dow AgroSciences said they wouldn't use the words "genetically engineered" on their seed labels next year.