Two consumer advocacy groups filed a motion in federal court Monday seeking to help the state defend a law that would require food manufacturers and retailers to label certain products containing genetically modified ingredients.
The Center for Food Safety and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group are asking to intervene on behalf of the state in defense of the GMO labeling law, which goes into effect in 2016.
Gov. Peter Shumlin signed what would be the nation’s first GMO labeling law in May. The Grocery Manufacturers Association and other industry trade groups later sued the state, claiming the law is unconstitutional.
Proponents of the law say it gives consumers information to make health, environmental and religious decisions about the food they purchase. Opponents say genetically engineered foods are not harmful for human consumption and the law will be expensive to implement.
CFS’ legal counsel and the Vermont Law School’s Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic will represent the groups in the suit. The Center for Food Safety and VPIRG will seek to collaborate with the state but will remain distinct entities, according to Laura Murphy, associate director of the law clinic.
The state this month hired the Washington, D.C., law firm Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck, Untereiner & Sauber to help defend the GMO labeling law. The contract cost nearly $1.5 million.
Megan Shafritz, an assistant attorney general and chief of the civil division, said the Vermont Attorney General’s Office does not oppose the group’s motion, but she says the office has the resources and expertise at its disposal to defend the law adequately.
U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss will decide whether to approve the motion.
