They've been asked to decide if all forms of genetically modified food must be labelled. Farmers and food manufacturers say they prefer self-regulation.
Consumer groups insist laws are needed.
In Europe, genetically modified food has created an uproar and the same could happen here if the politicians put the issue in the too-hard basket. Mark Bannerman reports. This is the great irony. We're told, on the one hand, that these technologies are terrific and offer so many benefits to society and the food supply. On the other hand, we are told that we have to swallow them without actually making an active choice.