Victory! Kansas Governor Vetoes Milk Labeling Bill!

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Victory! Kansas Governor Vetoes Milk Labeling Bill!

In a victory for local dairy farmers and consumers, Gov. Sebelius vetoes

controversial bill that would have limited rbGH labeling on dairy products

in the state

 

To support Kansas dairy farmers and consumers, Governor Kathleen Sebelius

has vetoed legislation concerning the labels on milk products! The bill,

HB 2121, faced massive opposition from dairy, consumer, health, animal

welfare and environmental organizations across the country; nearly 30 of which

wrote a letter to Governor Sebelius, President Obama’s pick to lead the

Department of Health and Human Services, urging her to veto HR 2121.

CFS True Food Network members sent over 8,000 emails to Governor Sebelius

urging her to veto this bad bill, and your voices were heard!

The controversial bill passed by the Kansas State Legislature would have

required an additional disclaimer on labels for dairy products produced from

cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST), a

genetically engineered, artificial hormone that induces cows to produce

more milk.

 

The Governor’s office sent out a press release late this afternoon,

explaining why she vetoed the bill:

“...the Bill before me...provides for changes in dairy labeling that could

make it more difficult to provide consumers with clear information. The

milk labeling provisions negatively impact a dairy producer’s ability to

inform consumers that milk is from cows not treated with recombinant bovine

growth hormone (rBST).â€

 

“Supporters of the bill claim it’s necessary to protect consumers from

false or misleading information. Yet there has been overwhelming opposition

by consumer groups, small dairy producers and retailers to this proposed

legislation. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14 of the Constitution

of the State of Kansas, I veto HB 2121.â€

Thanks to all who wrote and called the Governor's office - your action

helped stop the industry's attempt to take away our right to know what's in

our food!

Read _our press release_

(http://truefoodnow.org/2009/04/23/kansas-governor-vetoes-milk-labeling-bill/)

_http://truefoodnow.org/2009/04/23/kansas-governor-vetoes-milk-labeling-bill/_

(http://truefoodnow.org/2009/04/23/kansas-governor-vetoes-milk-labeling-bill/)

and more about the veto

While this is a tremendous victory, it may not be over yet. There could be

attempts to over-ride the veto, and our coalition is already making

preparations to keep this veto intact. The final session of the Kansas

legislature starts April 28 and could go as long as 10 days. We’ll be ready.

Stay

tuned for further updates.