Moving ahead on implementing the regulations that will govern the labeling of foods produced with genetic engineering, the Attorney General has commenced the formal rule-making process. Last month, Vermont Attorney General William Sorrel submitted the proposed rule to the Vermont Secretary of State’s office. This submission began the statutory process required by Vermont’s Administrative Procedure Act.
As a central part of this process, members of the public are invited to submit formal comments on the proposed rule to the Attorney General at any time until January 28th, either through the Secretary of State’s website, or by sending an email to [email protected]. The Attorney General will also host a public hearing at the Vermont Statehouse on Tuesday, January 20th at 5pm in Room 11. This will be the only public hearing on the proposed rule.
“This past fall, we toured around Vermont, talking to the public about the draft labeling rule and getting feedback,” Sorrell said. “We’ve incorporated some of what we heard. Throughout January we are inviting people to submit their formal comments about the proposed rule and attend a public hearing on the rule next week in Montpelier.”
In passing Act 120, the Legislature tasked the Attorney General with developing the regulations that will implement the labeling law. These regulations will provide clarity on the scope and reach of the law, including the specific requirements for labeling food. The Attorney General has engaged the public throughout the drafting process, issuing a public questionnaire over the summer, meeting with interest groups during the fall, and regularly receiving and responding to public comments and questions since the law’s enactment in May.
Further information about the implementation of Act 120 is available on the Attorney General’s website at http://www.ago.vermont.gov, under the GE Food Labeling Rule link. Individuals can also contact the Attorney General’s GE Food Rulemaking Team via email at [email protected]. People interested in keeping up to date on the development of the rules can also sign up for periodic email updates by visiting http://list.state.vt.us/guest/RemoteListSummary/GEFoodLabelingRule and following the directions there.
Source: Vermont AG 1.14.2015