Farmer rejects I-522

I am encouraging everyone to vote no on Initiative 522, the food labeling initiative. While we do not grow any genetically engineered crops on our farm, I encourage everyone to know where their food comes from and what is in it. I-522 does not do this.

If you want to make sure there are not any genetically engineered ingredients in the food you buy, there are already two federal labels in place. You can buy those labeled “organic” or “Non-GMO” and be assured that no genetically engineered products are in those foods. A willy-nilly, state-by-state labeling measure is the wrong approach.

I-522 is misleading and costly. It exempts some foods from labeling, while requiring it on others. There is no consistency to its requirements. It may require the state to hire an additional 200 new government employees just to monitor and regulate the wording on labels. Just who do you think is going to pay for that? It would also give trial lawyers a new avenue to sue family farmers, food producers and store owners over the wording on the labels. We definitely don’t need more frivolous lawsuits. Please vote no on I-522.

Art Schultheis

Colton, Wash.