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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 172
BY REPRESENTATIVE WOODRUFF
CONSUMERS/FOOD-BEVERAGES: Requests the Department of Agriculture to study and
make recommendations for a prospective state policy regulating the sale or use of
genetically modified organisms
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to study and make2
recommendations for a prospective state policy regulating the sale or use of3
genetically modified organisms, including but not limited to the feasibility of4
requiring notification labels on food products produced with genetically engineered5
material.6
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization defines genetically modified organisms7
(GMOs) as organisms in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not8
occur naturally; and9
WHEREAS, biotechnology allows selected individual genes to be transferred from10
one organism into another, including between nonrelated species, to create GMO plants11
which result in GMO food crops; and12
WHEREAS, according to a United States Department of Agriculture Report,13
genetically modified crops were planted on one hundred sixty-nine million acres in 2013,14
about half of the land used for crops in the United States; and15
WHEREAS, the most common GMO crops are soy, cotton, canola, corn, sugar beets,16
alfalfa, and squash; and17
WHEREAS, many of these GMOs appear as added ingredients in the foods eaten by18
the people of Louisiana each day; and19 HLS 14RS-2791 ENGROSSED
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WHEREAS, in North America, it has been estimated that over seventy percent of1
packaged foods contain GMOs; and2
WHEREAS, in order to make informed decisions concerning food consumption, the3
public needs to be made aware of the contents of food; and4
WHEREAS, at least sixty countries require labeling of GMOs, including the nations5
of the European Union, Australia, Japan, Russia, China, New Zealand, Brazil, and South6
Africa; and7
WHEREAS, the American Public Health Association, American Nurses Association,8
the British Medical Association, and the Irish Medical Association support the labeling of9
GMOs; and10
WHEREAS, surveys of the United States public have shown significant support for11
the labeling of GMOs.12
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the13
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Department of Agriculture and14
Forestry to study and make recommendations for a prospective state policy regulating the15
sale or use of genetically modified organisms, including but not limited to the feasibility of16
requiring notification labels on food products produced with genetically engineered material.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study conducted by the department shall18
include but not be limited to the following issues:19
(1) A survey of which industries and groups are currently producing, importing,20
selling, using, or consuming GMOs in Louisiana.21
(2) The potential effects, including the effect on Louisiana's food producers,22
distributors, and consumers, of state labeling requirements for GMOs, including meat and23
seafood products created from animals which have been fed GMO crops, upon the economic24
development of Louisiana.25
(3) A complete listing of the GMO crops that are produced in Louisiana and a26
determination if any of the crops are exported to other states or countries.27
(4) A survey of the ways in which the GMO crops produced in Louisiana are used28
for human or animal consumption.29 HLS 14RS-2791 ENGROSSED
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(5) A survey of any GMOs produced in Louisiana or imported into Louisiana to be1
used for animal feed, including a determination of what GMOs are used and the quantity of2
each GMO produced or imported for such use.3
(6) A complete listing of countries that require GMO disclosure labeling.4
(7) A complete listing of countries that have banned the cultivation, sale, and5
importation of GMO crops, including a determination if any of these countries have rejected6
GMOs exported by Louisiana and the economic impact on Louisiana of such rejection.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the department may8
solicit the input, recommendations, and advice of the Department of Health and Hospitals,9
the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, the Southern University Agricultural10
Center, and any other entity the department deems appropriate.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall submit a written report of12
its findings and conclusions, including any recommendations for legislation relative to the13
issue, to the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural14
Development not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2015 Regular Session of15
the Legislature of Louisiana.16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the17
commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.18
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Woodruff HR No. 172
Requests the Dept. of Agriculture to study and make recommendations for a prospective
state policy regulating the sale or use of genetically modified organisms and to submit a
written report to the House Committee on Agriculture not later than 60 days prior to the
beginning of the 2015 R.S.