Lawmakers are planning to look at how Wyoming treats genetically modified foods and plants.
But don’t expect this state to follow the lead of others that have passed laws requiring companies to label products which contain genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.
The Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee will study the topic as part of its interim work over the next several months.
The panel has not announced when it will consider the issue. But it is tentatively set to meet May 11-12 in Riverton and Sept. 14-15 in Afton.
Rep. Robert McKim, R-Afton, co-chairs the panel. He said he doesn’t necessarily expect legislation to come out of the talks.
Instead, this is a way for lawmakers to get more information on a topic that has caused controversy in other states, he added.
“We really have not delved into GMOs before,” McKim said. “So this is a chance to get some information and testimony on it.”
GMOs can be found in a variety of common agriculture and processed products. They have caused a stir in many states as residents and experts question whether they are safe.
Several groups, such as the Organic Consumers Association, also say there should be transparency with a technology they say is untested.
“The reason we want labeling is so people can chose whether they want to buy them or not,” said Ronnie Cummings.
He is the national director of the association.
“It is not some abstract right to know that consumers wake up thinking about,” he added.
“Polls show people are quite concerned about pesticides, pesticide residue and GMOs. And that is because, in this country, they are not properly and independently tested.”