Sequim woman to testify in favor of genetically engineered food labeling (2012)

Sequim woman to testify in favor of genetically engineered food labeling 

A local proponent of labeling genetically engineered foods will be in Olympia today and Friday to testify before the House and Senate hearings committees, part of an organic farming contingent of nutritional, agricultural and environmental advocates descending on the state capital.

“It’s so critical to us as farmers to have the managing of [genetically modified organisms] in Washington state,” said Kia Armstrong, marketing director and advocate for Nash’s Organic Produce and Farm Store in Dungeness.

Two state legislators have introduced bipartisan GMO labeling bills in the House and Senate.

Sen. Marilyn Chase, D-Shoreline, is sponsoring Senate Bill 6298, and Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Wenatchee, is sponsoring House Bill 2637.

Both require labeling of foods that are produced using genetically engineered materials or genetically modified organisms.

Armstrong, who led the GMO Awareness Group of Sequim in two informational demonstrations downtown last year, said she plans to testify before the Senate hearings committee today and the House committee Friday in favor of the legislation.