Pet Food Institute commends senators on biotech hearing

The Pet Food Institute (PFI) issued the following statement commending U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, ranking member of the committee:
“The Pet Food Institute would like to thank Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Debbie Stabenow for their leadership in scheduling a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry about agricultural biotechnology. In light of the disparate state and local laws governing the cultivation and labeling of food produced using biotechnology, it is time to conduct a fair, science-based nationwide assessment of the various policies pertaining to this important technological approach. PFI believes that biotechnology is a critical tool in the effort to meet the daunting challenging of producing sufficient food for a growing global population in a manner that is environmentally sustainable. Inconsistent approaches to food labeling from state to state with respect to biotechnology creates market confusion that could disrupt development of future genetically engineered food crops and would raise the cost of food for consumers and animals. We look forward to further constructive dialog to ensure that U.S. laws and policies governing biotechnology are based on science and common sense.”