March 15, 2016

The Honorable Pat Roberts Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 328A Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Roberts,

On behalf of the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food, we want to thank you for your strong leadership aimed at enacting a national uniform solution on biotech labeling. We, the undersigned organizations, represent all segments of the U.S. food chain—producers, , agribusinesses, processors, seed makers, handlers, food and feed manufacturers, lenders, and retailers. It is vitally important for the Senate to take expedited action in order to avoid the economic costs of a patchwork of state laws that will directly impact consumers, farmers, and the entire food value chain.

Mr. Chairman, we strongly support your Substitute Amendment #3450, building on the Biotechnology Labeling Solutions Act, which was approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee 14 – 6 on March 1st. The issue of biotech labeling is one of the most significant issues that the agriculture and food industry has faced in recent years. The U.S. agriculture and food industry creates over 17 million jobs, representing nearly 10% of all U.S. employment and creating 5% of U.S. economic activity. This very system—which produces the most abundant, the highest quality, and the most affordable food supply in the world—will be threatened with large economic costs without a national uniform solution to the biotech labeling issue.

The application of biotechnology to agricultural production has led to increased crop yields, decreased use of pesticides, and lower food costs for consumers. Congress must ensure we avoid senseless mandates that will thwart agricultural advancement and hurt consumers—especially those low income Americans who can least afford to pay more to feed their families.

Last fall, you chaired an extensive hearing on biotech and biotech labeling. Witnesses from the three government agencies that have principal oversight of biotech approvals—the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—all reaffirmed their long standing recognition of the safety of the technology. There was also broad discussion at the hearing about the need for a national uniform solution and that any solution should not stigmatize this important tool for our nation’s farmers. Mandatory on-pack labeling of foods produced using biotechnology would mislead consumers and drive up their grocery bills.

Mr. Chairman, again we thank you and other Members of the Committee for the strong leadership that you are providing on this issue. We also thank you for your recognition of the deep sense of urgency to address this patchwork of state laws that threatens the U.S. agriculture and food industry. We stand

ready to work with you and other Members of the Senate to ensure there is expedited Senate floor action on this important legislation.

Sincerely, American Fruit and Vegetable Processors and AACC International Growers Coalition Abbott American Phytopathological Society AC Legg Inc. American Seed Trade Association ACME American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists Adisseo American Soybean Association Adrien's Supermarket, Inc. American Sugarbeet Growers Association AEQUOR, Inc. Amigos Ag Partners Amplify Snack Brands Ag Plus Anderson Erickson Dairy Company Ag Processing Inc Apple Processors Association AgFirst Farm Credit Bank AquaBounty Technologies AgriBank, FCB Archer Daniels Midland Company Agribusiness & Water Council of Arizona Arizona Beverage Association Agribusiness Association of Iowa Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio) Agribusiness Association of Arizona Crop Protection Association Agribusiness Council of Indiana Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Agricultural Council of Oregon Arizona Food Marketing Alliance Agricultural Council of California Arizona Pork Council Agricultural Retailers Association Arkansas Beverage Association Agri-Mark, Inc. Arkansas Farm Bureau Agrivida, Inc. Arkansas Soybean Association Inc. Asenzya Ahold USA Associated Industries of Massachusetts Alabama Agribusiness Council Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) Alabama Council of Cooperatives Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. Aurora Cooperative Alabama Farmers Federation B & K Enterprises, Inc. Alabama Grocers Association Baesler’s Market Alabama Soybean and Corn Association Baptista's Bakery Alaska Farm Bureau Barrel O’Fun Snack Foods Co. Albertsons Companies BASF Allied Energy Bayer Amalgamated Sugar Company BDS Natural Products American AgCredit Beet Sugar Development Foundation American Agri-Women Bel Brands USA American Bakers Association Belgrade Co-op American Beverage Association Berg+Schmidt America LLC American Crystal Sugar Company Berry, Joe, Inc. American Dairy Coalition Better Made Snack Foods American Farm Bureau Federation Beverage Association of American Feed Industry Association Beverage Association of American Frozen Food Institute BFL-MGMT, Inc. Big Horn Basin Beet Growers

Big Horn County Sugar Beet Growers Central Markets, Inc. dba Fricks Market Bill Barr & Co. Central Valley Cooperative Bill's Forest City Super Market, Inc. Ceres Solutions, LLP Bimbo Bakeries USA Charlie's Quik Chek, Inc. Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association Cheeze Kurls Inc. BIOCOM CHS Inc. BioKansas Co-Alliance LLP BioNJ CoBank BioOhio Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated Bioscience Association of North Dakota Collins Grocery Company, Inc. BioSTL Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry Biotechnology Innovation Organization Colorado Association of Distributors BioZyme Incorporated Colorado Association of Wheat Growers Bob Bay and Son Co. Colorado Beverage Association Bob's Super-Saver, Inc. Colorado BioScience Association Bongards’ Creameries Colorado Cooperative Council Brookshire Grocery Colorado Corn Growers Association Bryce Corporation Colorado Farm Bureau Bunge North America Colorado Potato Administrative Committee Buy Rite Partners, Inc. Colorado Sugarbeet Growers C & J Management Services, Inc. Community Grocers, Inc. C&S Wholesale Grocers Conagra Foods, Inc. Calcot, Ltd. Connecticut Business & Industry Association California Alfalfa and Forage Association Connecticut Farm Bureau Association California Association of Wheat Growers Connecticut Food Association California Beet Growers Connecticut United for Research Excellence California Canning Peach Association (CURE) California Farm Bureau Consumers Co-op California Grain and Feed Association Country Farmers Elevator California League of Food Processors Cooperative Council of North Carolina California Life Sciences Association Cooperative Credit Company California Retailers Association. Cooperative Elevator Co. California Seed Association Cooperative Farmer’s Elevator of Rock Valley, IA California Tomato Growers Association, Inc. Cooperative Farmers California-Nevada Beverage Association Cooperative Milk Producers Association Inc. Can Manufacturers Institute Cooperative Network Canned Food Alliance Corn Producers Association of Texas Cargill Inc. Corn Refiners Association Carolina Ingredients Cortland Bulk Milk Producers Cooperative Carolinas Cotton Growers Cooperative, Inc. Cosentino Enterprises, Inc. Carolinas Food Industry Council Council for Responsible Nutrition Carpe Deum LLC Country Boy Mr. 'D' Corp. Carrs Crest Discount Foods, Inc. Cass-Clay Creamery CropLife Castle Retail Group, LLC Crystal Creamery Caudill Seed Company Custom Culinary® Central Grocers, Inc DairiConcepts, L.P. Central Lakes Co-op Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative

Dairy Farmers of America Food City Stores Dairymen's Marketing Cooperative, Inc. Food Industry Alliance of New York Dave's Food Center, Inc. Food Marketing Institute Dean Foods Food Producers of Idaho Del Monte Foods, Inc Foremost Farms USA Delaware Farm Bureau F'Real Foods, LLC Delaware Food Industry Council Frontier Farm Credit Delaware Restaurant Association Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Delaware DelawareBio Full Circle Delaware-Maryland Agribusiness Association Furmano’s Delhaize America General Mills Delmarva Poultry Industry Georgia Agribusiness Council Dendy Foods, Inc. Georgia Farm Bureau Diamond Pet Food Company Georgia Food Industry Association Diamond V GeorgiaBev Doc's Food Stores, Inc. Georgia-Florida Soybean Association Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Giant Eagle Dorothy Lane Market, Inc. Giant Food Dow AgroSciences Giant of Maryland LLC Dr Pepper Snapple Group Giant Stores DSM North America Glacial Plains Cooperative DuPont Global Cold Chain Alliance Dyer Foods, Inc. Global Harvest Initiative ELAS, Inc. Golden Flake Snack Foods Elite Spice Golden State Farm Credit, ACA Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery Goode Foods, L.L.C. Elwyhee Beet Growers Grain and Feed Association of Illinois Empire State Potato Growers Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc. Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association Griffith Food Inc. Farm Credit Bank of Texas Gro Alliance, LLC Farm Credit of Enid Gro Co #1, Inc. Farm Credit of New Mexico, ACA Grocery Manufacturers Association Farm Credit Services of America GROWMARK, Inc. Farm Credit West HAC, Inc. Farmers Cooperative Company Harp's Food Stores, Inc. Farmers Cooperative Compress Harvest Land Co-op Farmers’ Cooperative Creamery Harvey County Farm Bureau FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative Hawaii Crop Improvement Association First District Association Hawaii Farm Bureau Five Star Coop Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association Hawaii Papaya Industry Association Florida Beverage Association Heartland Plant Innovations Florida Farm Bureau Heat and Control, Inc. Florida Feed Association H-E-B Grocery Company Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association Herr Foods Inc. Florida's Natural Growers Highland Park Markets Floyd's Market, L.L.C. Hilltop CeeBee Market, L.L.C.

Hirri Foods, Inc. International Foodservice Distributors Hometown Grocery, Inc. Association Hoosier Beverage Association Inventure Foods, Inc. Hormel Foods Iowa Corn Growers Association HP Hood LLC Iowa Farm Bureau Hy-Vee Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Idaho Alfalfa and Clover Seed Growers Iowa Soybean Association Association IowaBio Idaho Barley Commission J.R. Simplot Company Idaho Cooperative Council, Inc. Jerry's, Inc. Idaho Farm Bureau Jewel-Osco Idaho Grain Producers Association "JIFFY" Mix Idaho Growers and Shippers Association JoMar Seeds Idaho Hay and Forage Association Justin Seed Company Idaho Honey Industry Association Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association Idaho Oilseed Commission Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Idaho Potato Commission Kansas Beverage Association Idaho Soft Drink Association, Inc. Kansas Chamber of Commerce Idaho Sugar Beet Growers Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute Idaho Technology Council Kansas Cooperative Council Idaho Weed Control Association Kansas Corn Growers Association Idaho Wheat Commission Kansas Farm Bureau IGA, Inc. Kansas Farmers Service Association Illinois Beverage Association Kansas Food Dealers Association Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization Kansas Grain and Feed Association Illinois Chemical & Fertilizer Association Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Illinois Corn Growers Association Kansas Soybean Association Illinois Farm Bureau Keith's Foods, Inc. Illinois Food Retailers Association Kellogg Company Illinois Manufacturers Association Kemps LLC Illinois Retail Merchants Association Kentucky Beverage Association Illinois Seed trade Association Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Illinois Soybean Growers Kentucky Corn Growers Association Independent Bakers Association Kentucky Equine Research Inc. Independent Professional Seed Association Kentucky Farm Bureau Indiana Corn Growers Association Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Indiana Farm Bureau Association Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Kentucky Life Sciences Council Association Kentucky Pork Producers Association Indiana Health Industry Forum Kentucky Retail Federation Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Kentucky Soybean Association Store Association Klema IGA, Inc. Indiana Seed Trade Association Knouse Foods, Inc. Indiana Soybean Alliance Knowlan’s Super Markets, Inc. Industry University Research Center Inc. Knox County (Maine) Farm Bureau Infant Nutrition Council of America K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. International Dairy Foods Association Lakeside Foods, Inc. Land O' Lakes, Inc.

Landmark Services Cooperative Michigan Manufacturers Association Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Inc. Michigan Milk Producers Association Lebanon Seaboard Corporation Michigan Restaurant Association Leprino Foods Company Michigan Soft Drink Association LifeSpice Ingredients Michigan Soybean Association Lincoln County (Maine) Farm Bureau Michigan Sugar Company Lipco Food Enterprises, Inc. Michigan Vegetable Council Little Wagon Produce Mid America Cooperative Council Lone Star Milk Producers Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association Louisiana Cotton and Grain Association Mid-West Dairymen's Company Louisiana Council of Farmer Cooperatives Midwest Food Processors Association Louisiana Retailers Association Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Louisiana Soybean Association Minnesota AgriGrowth Council LouisianaBio Minnesota Beverage Association Lunds & Byerlys Minnesota Canola Council Mace Town and Country, Inc. Minnesota Corn Growers Maine Beverage Association Minnesota Farm Bureau Maine Potato Board Minnesota Grain and Feed Association Maine State Chamber of Commerce Minnesota Grocers Association Market Street Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Martin’s Super Markets, Inc Mississippi Biotechnology Association (MS BIO) Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Cooperative, Inc. Mississippi Soybean Association Maryland Farm Bureau Missouri Agribusiness Association Maryland Grain Producers Association Missouri Beverage Association Maryland Retailers Association Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO) Maryland-Delaware-Washington D.C. Beverage Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry Association Missouri Corn Growers Association Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers Missouri Dairy Association Massachusetts Beverage Association Missouri Farm Bureau Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) Missouri Grocers Association Massachusetts Cooperative Milk Producers Missouri Institute of Cooperatives Federation, Inc. Missouri Retailers Association Massachusetts Food Association Missouri Soybean Association Maxwell's Pic-Pac, Inc. MKC McCormick & Company, Inc. Mondelēz International Medical Alley Association (Minnesota) Monsanto Company Meijer Montana Agricultural Business Association Metropolis Big John Super Store, Inc. Montana Beverage Association MFA Incorporated Montana Council of Cooperatives MFA Oil Company Montana Farm Bureau MichBio Montana Grain Growers Association Michigan Agri-Business Association Montana-Dakota Beet Growers Michigan Allied Poultry Industries Morgan and Nash, Inc. Michigan Corn Growers Association Mount Joy Farmers Cooperative Association Michigan Farm Bureau Mustand Seeds Michigan Forest Products Council National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance Michigan Grocers Association National Association of Chain Drug Stores

National Association of Manufacturers New York Farm Bureau National Association of State Departments of New York State Agri-business Association Agriculture New York State Grange National Association of Wheat Growers New York State Turfgrass Association National Barley Growers Association New York State Vegetable Growers Association National Black Growers Council NewYorkBIO National Confectioners Association Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers Association National Corn Growers Association Nicholas Supermarkets, Inc. National Cotton Council NORPAC Foods, Inc. National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Norrenberns Foods, Inc. National Grain and Feed Association Norris-Brantley, Inc. National Grape Cooperative Association, Inc. North American Miller's Association National Grocers Association North Carolina Beverage Association National Milk Producers Federation North Carolina Biosciences Organization National Oilseed Processors Association (NCBIO) National Potato Council North Carolina Farm Bureau National Renderers Association North Carolina Retail Merchants Association National Restaurant Association North Carolina Soybean Producers Association National Seasoning Manufacturers Association, North Central Co-op Inc. North Dakota Ag Coalition National Sorghum Producers North Dakota Grain Dealers Association NCFE North Dakota Grain Growers Association NEBCO Beet Growers North Dakota Grocers Association Nebraska Agri-Business Association North Dakota Soybean Growers Association Nebraska Beverage Association Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance Nebraska Cooperative Council Northeast Cooperative Council Nebraska Corn Board Northeast Dairy Foods Association Nebraska Corn Growers Association Northeast Dairy Producers Association, Inc Nebraska Farm Bureau Northern Plains Potato Growers Nebraska Grain and Feed Association Northwest Dairy Association/Darigold, Inc. Nebraska Grocery Industry Association Northwest Farm Credit Services Nebraska Soybean Association Northwest Food Processors Association Nebraska Sugarbeet Growers Novozymes Nestlé Nutrition North America Nutriad, Inc. Nestlé Purina PetCare Company Nyssa-Nampa Sugarbeet Growers Nestlé USA O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative, Inc. Nestlé Waters North America Oberweis Dairy, Inc. New England Biotech Association Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. New Hampshire Farm Bureau AgriBusiness Association New Hampshire Grocers Association Ohio Association of Meat Processors New Hampshire Soft Drink Association Ohio Cattlemen's Association New Jersey Farm Bureau Ohio Chamber of Commerce New Jersey Food Council Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association New Mexico Beverage Association Ohio Dairy Producers Association New Mexico Biotechnology & Biomedical Ohio Farm Bureau Association Ohio Grocers Association New York Corn and Soybean Growers Ohio Manufacturers Association Association Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association

Ohio Restaurant Association Premier Milk Inc. Ohio Soft Drink Association Pretzels, Inc. Ohio Soybean Association Price Chopper Supermarkets Oklahoma Council Inc. Printpack Inc. Oklahoma Farm Bureau Prisco’s Family Market Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association Producers Cooperative Association Oklahoma Soybean Association Producers Livestock Marketing Association Old Dutch Foods, Inc. Protect the Harvest Old World Spice Pruett's Food, inc. Olive Growers Council of CA Publix Super Markets Oregon Beverage Association Puckett Super Food, Inc. Oregon Cherry Growers, Inc. Purina Animal Nutrition LLC Oregon Farm Bureau Queen Enterprises L.L.C. Oregon Feed & Grain Association Queen-Morris Ventures, L.L.C. Oregon Potato Commission R. L. Schreiber Oregon Seed Association Randalls Oregon Seed Council Readington Farms Inc. Oregon Wheat Growers League Reasor's, LLC Oregonians for Food and Shelter Red Gold Otwell's, Incorporated Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Ozark Supermarket, Inc. Retail Association of Nevada Pacific Coast Producers Retail Grocers Association of Kansas City Pacific Northwest Grain and Feed Association Reynolds United Cooperative Pavilions Rhode Island Beverage Association Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association Rhode Island Farm Bureau Peapod LLC Rhode Island Food Dealers Association Pendleton Grain Growers, Inc. Riceland Food, Inc. PennAg Industries Association Rich Ice Cream Co., Inc. Beverage Association Rich Products Corporation Pennsylvania Business Council Richards Brothers of Mountain Grove, Inc. Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce River Valley Pennsylvania Corn Growers Association Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association Ronald P. Chapdelaine, Inc. Pepsi Bottling Ventures Rudolph Foods Company, Inc. PepsiCo SAB Biotherapeutics Perry's Ice Cream Co., Inc. Safeway Pet Food Institute Saputo Cheese USA Inc. Philadelphia Beverage Association Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC Pierre's Ice Cream Company Sargento Foods Inc. Pinnacle Foods Inc. Savor Seasonings Plains Cotton Cooperative Association Savor Street Foods, Inc. Plains Dairy, LLC Schnuck Markets, Inc. Polar Beverages Schreiber Foods, Inc. Potato Growers of Michigan Seedway, LLC Poulin Grain, Inc. Select Milk Producers Inc. Prague Grocery, LLC Seneca Foods Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. Shaw’s

Shearer's Foods, LLC Texas Beverage Association Sidney Sugars Incorporated Texas Farm Bureau Simco Logistics, Inc., t/a Jack & Jill D.S.D. Texas Grain and Feed Association SmithFoods Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Snack Food Association Texas Retailers Association Snak King Corporation Texas Soybean Association Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. The Coca-Cola Company South Carolina Beverage Association The Cooperative Marketing Association in New South Carolina Corn and Soybean Association Jersey South Carolina Farm Bureau The Great Basin Community Food Cooperative, South Carolina Retail Association Inc South Dakota Agri-Business Association The Hershey Company South Dakota Association of Cooperatives The Ice Cream Club, Inc. South Dakota Biotech The J. M. Smucker Company South Dakota Corn Growers Association The Kraft Heinz Company South Dakota Farm Bureau The Kroger Co. South Dakota Grain & Feed Association The Schwan Food Company South Dakota Soybean Association Tillamook County Creamery Association South Dakota Wheat Growers Tom Thumb Southeast Milk Inc. Topco Southern Crop Production Association Tops Markets LLC Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative Town & Country Discount Foods, Inc. Southern Montana Sugarbeet Growers TransOva Genetics Southern States Cooperative, Inc. Tree Top, Inc. Southwest Council of Agribusiness Tri-County Farmers SpartanNash Trouw Nutrition USA, LLC Spectrum Brands Truco Enterprises St. Alban's Cooperative Creamery Trupointe Cooperative, Inc. St. Louis Regional Chamber Turkey Creek Snacks Staplcotn Turkey Hill Dairy Star Market Tybee Market, Inc. Stepherson, Inc. Tyson Foods Sterigenics U.S. Beet Sugar Association Stop and Shop U.S. Canola Association Strack & VanTil Supermarkets U.S. Chamber of Commerce Sun Valley Rice Company, LLC U.S. Dry Bean Council Super Dollar Stores U.S. Tobacco Cooperative Inc. Swire Coca-Cola USA United Dairymen of Arizona Swiss Valley Farms Company United Egg Producers Syngenta North America United Express Sysco United Potato Growers of America Tate & Lyle United Producers, Inc. Tennessee Farm Bureau United Supermarkets Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. Tennessee Soybean Association Utah Beverage Association Terry L. Altom dba Clarksburg Supermarket Utah Council of Farmer Cooperatives Terry L. Pennington, Inc. Utah Food Industry Association Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council Utah Retail Merchants Association

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