Vermont has collected nearly US$14,000 in donations thus far to help state battle expected legal challenges from food industry over its law requiring labeling of GMO foods
Nevin Barich
MONTPELIER, Vermont
,
June 1, 2014
(Associated Press)
–
Vermont has collected nearly $14,000 in donations to help the state battle expected legal challenges from the food industry over its law requiring the labelling of genetically modified foods.
Vermont is on the path to be the first state to require labeling of genetically modified foods when the law takes effect in 2016.
The Vermont Food Fight Fund was created by the legislature as part of the law.
Attorney General William Sorrell says he expects legal costs if the law is challenged to be about $1 million if the state wins, and up to $8 million if the state loses.
Deputy Finance Commissioner Sarah Clark told the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus (http://bit.ly/1pEreaZ ) that the state had collected $13,600 by the end of last week from donors around the country.
Most of the donations have been made online, while some have been mailed to the state, she said.
Donations have typically ranged from $25 to $50, she said. Clark says her office has not set a fundraising goal.
We haven't talked about a specific monetary target," she said. "I think (we're) just hoping to cover whatever costs may or may not come."
As of last week, the law had yet to be challenged, she said.
"I think we would expect that if somebody does file suit and it moves through the legal system, that we would anticipate more donations," Clark said.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
© 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.