Vermont Business Magazine In light of the new federal law establishing a “National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard,” the Grocery Manufacturers Association and other plaintiffs have agreed to voluntarily dismiss their lawsuit challenging Vermont’s Act 120, the state's GMO labeling law. As part of the stipulated dismissal, the attorney general secured plaintiffs’ agreement to pay the State $17,569.55 towards the costs incurred in defending Act 120. On Thursday, the Vermont federal district court approved the parties’ stipulation and dismissed the case. Last month, Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their Second Circuit appeal that had been pending in this matter.
This Campbell's Soup GMO label conforms to Vermont's Act 120 rule. Under the new federal law, however, the GMO labeling would not have to be this explicit.
“The State was able to successfully defend the law in the courts,” said Attorney General William Sorrell, “however, the passage of the federal law has made Act 120 unenforceable, and eliminates the need for ongoing litigation.”
With the litigation ending, the Attorney General’s Office intends to actively engage in the regulatory process underway at the US Department of Agriculture.
“We believe that consumers are entitled to straightforward, clear, plain-English descriptions of what is in their food,” Sorrell said, “and we will continue to work to get consumers the information they would have received under Vermont’s law.”
Vermont AG: Sep 2, 2016