Ore. activists set to turn in signatures for GMO measure

PORTLAND — Proponents of a ballot measure to require the labeling of genetically modified foods in Oregon said Wednesday they’re turning in more than 155,000 signatures — far more than needed to qualify the measure for a statewide vote in November.

The secretary of state’s office will count and verify the signatures. The initiative needs just over 87,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot.

If adopted, the initiative by Oregon GMO Right to Know would require manufacturers, retailers and suppliers to label raw and packaged foods produced entirely or partially by genetic engineering. The measure would not apply to animal feed or food served in restaurants. It would be effective January 2016.

Signature-gathering is also underway in Colorado and in Arizona to put up similar labeling measures.

The U.S. currently does not require the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Labeling ballot measures in California and Washington state failed in recent years. A GMO labeling measure was also defeated in Oregon in 2002.

But legislators in three states — Vermont, Maine and Connecticut — enacted laws that require labeling of genetically modified organisms, though those won’t go into effect until other states in the region follow suit. Counties in Oregon, Hawaii, Washington state and California have also adopted laws banning or limiting genetically modified organisms.