Proposed dairy-label change criticized at hearing

It's difficult to say how many Utah dairy farmers are using rbGH, said Mark Gibbons, president of the 270-member Dairy Producers of Utah. Farmers operate their businesses differently — some work in cooperatives, while others work for dairies.

Gibbons supports the proposed rule but does not use rbGH in his cows because he works for Gossner Foods, which required all farmers in 2006 to sign affidavits promising not to use it.

And while opponents think the proposed rule is restrictive, a handful of dairy farmers complained that the current conditions are restrictive.

The current labels "use language that elicits an emotional response among the consumers," said Rep. Kerry Gibson, R-Ogden, who works as a dairy farmer and supports the proposed rule.

Representatives from St. Louis-based Monsanto Co., which sells rbGH, said they support the bill with some tweaks that wouldn't hurt certain types of labeling, such as "kosher" and organic. Critics believe state agricultural commissioners are being unfairly sympathetic to Monsanto's need to clarify the FDA's position on rbGH.

Agriculture and Food spokesman Larry Lewis denied that claim: "We've been hearing from both sides."

Utah agriculture commissioners will consider comments based from Tuesday's meeting and will soon create a new rule, which the public can comment on for 30 days, before deciding to officially enact it.

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com