Score 1 for consumers!
After a fierce letter-writing campaign and vocal opposition, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, stepped in and blocked the enforcement of the new rule to ban rBGH-Free labels which would have started January 1 2008. At this point, the matter is simply listed as being "delayed" for further review, but I am hopeful that due to the massive public outcry, this rule will be thrown into the trash where it belongs.
From the Organic Consumers Association website:
A controversial decision by Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture concerning dairy labeling is under review after facing strong public backlash.
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff announced last month that the department would crack down on what it viewed as misleading labels on dairy products, including claims that milk was made from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones.
But early last week Gov. Ed Rendell's office initiated a review of the decision. Originally scheduled for Jan. 1, enforcement of the new rules has been delayed at least a month.
The controversy has focused on recombinant bovine growth hormone, also called recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), which is injected into cows to increase milk production by about 15 percent.
Under Mr. Wolff's directive, dairies selling milk in the state cannot declare on their labels that the milk is hormone-free or "rBST-free."
Chuck Ardo, press secretary for Mr. Rendell, said the governor's office heard complaints from elected representatives of rural districts and agriculture lobbyists, prompting the review.
Mr. Ardo said the review likely would take at least two or three months, further delaying the implementation of the labeling restrictions.
The governor's office, which was not involved in the initial decision, will participate in reviewing the new rules "both in the way they were promulgated and their effect," Mr. Ardo said.
Consumer and public health groups also have been critical of the labeling restrictions.
"This violates the fundamental rights of consumers to know what's in their milk," said Kevin Golden, staff attorney for the Center for Food Safety, a non-profit organization that advocates sustainable agriculture and food safety.
"We wouldn't be surprised if Pennsylvania turns around and takes away this action. ... If [Mr. Rendell] doesn't, they are going to see lawsuits."
Thanks to OrangeClouds115's diary last week, I was motivated to follow this story further, including writing my own letter to the PA governor in outrage at this new rule. It appears it has done some good, but it is possible it may be short lived. I encourage you all to continue the letter writing campaign outlined in her diary.
It is imperative that this rule will not be allowed to stand, because if it does it would encourage Monsanto to pressure other states to outlaw the label as well, and could begin the end of fairly-labeled, truthful packaging as we know it. Consumers must be allowed to have a choice over what they purchase, and giving this kind of power to a corporation such as Monsanto is a dangerous precedent.
Keep up the good work everyone!