Oregon Voters Narrowly Defeat GMO Labeling, Measure 92

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Taya Alami, GoLocalPDX Reporter

Oregon voters have rejected a statewide ballot measure that would have required the labeling of foods that contain genetically modified ingredients, according to KPTV.

With 94 percent of the votes in, the measure is failing with a 51 percent to 49 percent margin.

Opposition to Measure 92 received more financial contributions and spent more money than any other political campaign in Oregon’s 2014 election, raising over $17 million and spending a total of $20.6 million.

Voters claiming to have rejected the measure said they did so over fears that the labeling law would increased food costs. Supporters of the measure said food cost had not increased in the 64 countries that require the labeling of GMO's — but opponents were quick to point out that those were all national policies — unlike Measure 92.

The No on Measure 92 campaign contributors included DuPont Pioneers ($4.5 million), Monsanto ($5.4 million), Pepsi ($1.4 million) and Coca Cola ($1.1 million), among others.