As the battle over a state ballot measure to require labeling of genetically engineered food heats up on the other side of the country, several major players in the field are trying to stop similar bills that would apply nationwide.

In the state of Washington, opposing sides have drawn their weapons over Initiative 522, which would enforce stricter labeling to let consumers know which foods contained genetically engineered ingredients.

And in the other Washington, major food companies have stepped up their lobbying efforts on a bill introduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) in the Senate and House in April that would require GMO labeling. The bills are awaiting consideration in their respective committees.

Monsanto, the multinational biotechnology company, has been a pioneer in the business of GMO (genetically modified organism) agriculture, producing seeds that are resistant to herbicides so farmers can spray their fields without wiping out their crops. The company has spent just under $5.5 million on lobbying this year through Sept. 30. Among the issues named in its lobbying reports was the “regulation of agricultural biotechnology products.” DuPont, which has spent more than $5.1 million this year, also lobbied on biotechnology issues.

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Bayer AG, the chemical and pharmaceutical giant whose company Bayer CropScience is another leader in genetically modified agricultural products, has spent more than $3.2 million, and has lobbied specifically on the Senate labeling bill.

So has the Grocery Manufacturers Association, a trade group. It has spent more than $1.4 million on its federal lobbying efforts this year. GMA recently made headlines when Washington state decided to sue the organization, alleging that it illegally funded attacks on Initiative 522 without disclosing the names of its donors.

Monsanto and DuPont are also spending millions to defeat the initiative in the Evergreen State as residents prepare to cast their ballots on Nov. 5. Bayer CropScience and the GMA are also among the top contributors who want to defeat the measure. Overall, opponents to the Washington initiative have raised more than $17 million to quash the measure — a state record.

In 2012, California voters rejected a similar piece of legislation that would have required manufacturers to label products containing GMOs. As in Washington state, major food companies, including Monsanto and DuPont, poured money into defeating the proposition.



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