OREGON, U.S.A. - The ears of politicos in Oregon perked up when a poll of Oregon residents conducted for Oregon Public Broadcasting (EarthFix) by DHM Research showed that 77% of the 400 residents questioned supported labeling of GMO foods. These results are particularly important because this November, Oregon will likely be voting on a law that would require GMO foods to carry labels identifying them as such to consumers. Looking at the numbers, this looks like an easy victory in the making for labeling supporters. But is it? DHM Research Director John Horvick would say no.
Horvick told the Portland Tribune that early support in public opinion polls does not necessarily translate into electoral success.
“We now have two states — Washington last year and California the year before – where they saw polling numbers like this, not that far before an election, and then saw things change quickly,” Horvick said.
In Washington's case early polling data showed that 69% of residents supported the proposed labeling law. A poll conducted the same year by YouGov of 1,000 Americans backed up these findings, revealing that 82% of respondents supported labeling of GMO products. When the November election arrived however, the initiative failed to pass, receiving support from only 45% of voters.
Horvick credits large contributions to anti-labeling campaigns from industry giants Monsanto and Syngenta for the loss, but Katie Fast, Vice President of Public Policy of the Oregon Farm Bureau, told EarthFix that the question isn't so simple.
Fast says that they opposed a similar Oregon initiative in 2002 because labeling laws would just needlessly increase costs for farmers and food processors, and thereby for consumers at the checkout counter.
“This is 100 percent safe technology,” she said. “You won’t be able to find a credible, peer-reviewed study that says there’s health impacts or environmental impacts.”
What will happen come election time in Oregon will be something we will have to wait to see. No matter what happens however you can count on AndNowUKnow to keep you updated.
