What's happening
This bill requires clear labeling of seeds containing genetically engineered organisms and directs regulations for their sale and handling in New York.
Why it matters
Enhances transparency for farmers and consumers. by requiring clear disclosure when seeds are genetically engineered, including specific information about the introduced traits and the seed’s manufacturer, allowing buyers to make more informed choices.
Establishes comprehensive safety and traceability requirements. , mandating that labels also provide instructions on safe handling, storage, and use, which could help prevent accidental spread or misuse of genetically engineered seeds.
Directs the state agriculture commissioner to consider a wide range of practical factors. such as seed origins, mixtures, coatings, and plant parts—when crafting regulations, which may result in robust and adaptable oversight tailored to diverse seed types and farming practices.
Creates a new legal definition for “genetically engineered organism” and “modern biotechnology,”. potentially influencing how future laws, enforcement actions, and public debates interpret what technologies and products fall under these rules.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Label Genetically Engineered Seeds
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3594
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, ABINANTI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the labeling requirements for seeds which are or include genetically engineered organisms
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 136 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding two new subdivisions 22 and 23 to read as follows:
22. The term "modern biotechnology" means:
(a) In vitro nucleic acid techniques, including recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and direct injection of nucleic acid into cells or organelles that overcome natural physiological reproductive or recombinant barriers and that are not techniques used in traditional breeding and selection. Such techniques shall also include, but not be limited to, recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques that use vector systems and techniques involving the direct introduction into the organism of hereditary materials prepared outside the organism such as micro-injection, macro-injection, chemoporation, micro-encapsulation and liposome fusion.
(b) Fusion of cells beyond the taxonomic family, including protoplast fusion or hybridization techniques, that overcome natural physiological reproductive or recombinant barriers where the donor cells or protoplasts do not fall within the same taxonomic family and that are not techniques used in traditional breeding and selection.
23. The term "genetically engineered organism" means an organism in which the genetic material has been changed through modern biotechnology in a way that does not occur naturally by multiplication and/or natural recombination.
§ 2. Section 137 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new subdivision I to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05349-01-7
A. 3594 2
I. For all seeds which are or include genetically engineered organisms. The following in not less than ten point type:
1. The words "These are genetically engineered seeds".
2. The identity of the relevant traits or characteristics introduced into such seed using modern biotechnology.
3. Any requirements for the safe handling, storage, transport and use of the seed.
4. The name, address and telephone number of the manufacturer of the seed.
5. The name and address of the person who labeled said seed or who sells, offers for sale or exposes said seed for sale within this state.
§ 3. The opening paragraph of section 139 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 631 of the laws of 1955, is amended to read as follows:
The provisions of this article [do], with the exception of subdivision I of section one hundred thirty-seven of this article, shall not apply to the following:
§ 4. The three undesignated paragraphs of section 142 of the agriculture and markets law are designated subdivisions 1, 2 and 3, and a new subdivision 4 is added to read as follows:
4. The commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations as shall be necessary to implement the provisions of subdivision I of section one hundred thirty-seven of this article in relation to the labeling of seeds which are or include genetically engineered organisms, taking into consideration: the origins of the seed, the presence of weed seeds, mixtures, hermetically sealed containers, coated seeds, crop seeds, genetically engineered material, genetically engineered plant parts, hybrids, germination medium and pre-planted containers.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.