46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ASSIGN TO THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTS OF REQUIRING LABELING OF FOOD CONTAINING GENETICALLY ENGINEERED AND GENETICALLY MODIFIED INGREDIENTS.

WHEREAS, the biotechnology of genetically engineered foods has advanced rapidly over the past several years; and

WHEREAS, consumers demand greater variety, quality and safety in the foods they eat; and

WHEREAS, a national and international debate regarding the labeling of genetically engineered foods has occurred over the past several years; and

WHEREAS, citizens in Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, the fifteen European union nations and several other countries require the labeling of genetically engineered foods; and

WHEREAS, some polls indicate that a majority of Americans want genetically engineered foods to be labeled; and

WHEREAS, the United States food and drug administration has issued proposed rules for the labeling of genetically engineered foods but has not issued final rules;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim legislative committee to study the feasibility and effects of requiring labeling of food containing genetically engineered and genetically modified ingredients; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate interim legislative committee seek the advice and cooperation of the department of health, the department of environment, the economic development department and the New Mexico department of agriculture; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study be completed by December 31, 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council, the secretary of health, the secretary of environment, the secretary of economic development and the director of the New Mexico department of agriculture.