Governors' Biofuels Coalition

A ballot measure to require genetically modified food products to be labeled has qualified for the November general election, Oregon elections officials confirmed yesterday.

The secretary of state’s office said the initiative had gathered nearly 119,000 valid signatures, well above the 87,213 needed to appear on the ballot.

Labeling measures were narrowly defeated in Washington state and California last year in the face of a massive lobbying effort from biotechnology and agriculture groups.

In Oregon, supporters of the labeling requirement have raised nearly $1.3 million so far this year, though industry groups are expected to spend heavily on the race, as well (Jeff Mapes, Portland Oregonian, July 23).

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