| On June 15, the House of Representatives agreed by voice vote to an amendment to the House Agriculture Appropriations bill that would bar the approval of genetically engineered (GE) salmon for human consumption.
The short amendment by Representatives Don Young (R-AK) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) would ban the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from spending any funds on the approval of the fish, called "Frankenfish" by GE fish opponents, beginning in the next fiscal year. (http://donyoung.house.gov/UploadedFiles/GM_Fish_final_version.pdf)
"Frankenfish is uncertain and unnecessary," said Rep. Young. "Should it receive approval as an animal drug, it clears the path to introduce it into the food supply; my amendment cuts them off before they can get that far. Any approval of genetically modified salmon could seriously threaten wild salmon populations as they grow twice as fast and require much more food."
Representatives of consumer, environmental and fishing groups and Indian Tribes welcomed the amendment while noting that the overall budget bill was badly flawed.
A bright spot in a bad bill
"The House of Representatives took an important first step toward banning genetically engineered salmon today - a step representing one bright spot in a Congressional budget bill that, overall, has been devastating to a large number of important consumer, environmental and social programs," said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food and Water Watch.
Hauter described the approval process for genetically engineered salmon, which would be the first GE animal approved for human consumption, as "controversial" and "flawed." She said little consideration has been given to both the environmental and human health impacts of the fish.
"It appears the FDA was operating for the benefit of AquaBounty, the company that produces the fish, rather than in the public's interest. That the House is stepping in and prohibiting the FDA from using its FY2012 funds to approve this science experiment is a move in the right direction," she added.
Trout Unlimited also applauded the House Amendment to block approval of the controversial "Frankenfish" in a statement.
"TU is deeply concerned about the risks that genetically altered salmon pose to wild salmon populations through competition or interbreeding should they escape confinement or be released into the wild," according to Trout Unlimited. "TU is also concerned that the FDA is moving through its decision-making process without adequate environmental analysis and involvement by the agencies that manage salmon fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service."
Wild salmon populations threatened by GE fish
"Many wild salmon populations, including wild Atlantic salmon in Maine, are listed as threatened or endangered species and cannot stand additional new stressors," said Keith Curley, TU's Director of Government Affairs. "This amendment would prevent the FDA from putting wild salmon at unnecessary risk of competition and interbreeding from genetically modified salmon."
TU urged the U.S. Senate to follow through on preventing the FDA from approving genetically engineered salmon for human consumption.
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) also praised the House for its decision to prohibit the FDA from approving "Frankenfish."
"We thank members of the House for stepping in to correct FDA's misguided decision to go ahead with this approval process that fails to take into account a plethora of economic, human health, environmental and animal welfare concerns," said Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director of the Center for Food Safety. "Any decision to approve GE salmon would be a continuation of the Obama Administration's illogical biotech bailout at the expense of American jobs and our fishing economy."
AquaBounty claims amendment is 'outrageous'
However, Ronald L. Stotish, Ph.D., President and CEO of AquaBounty Technologies, described the passage of the amendment as an "outrageous action." Less than a dozen lawmakers voted by voice to attach the amendment to the House Agriculture Appropriations bill, H.R. 2112.
"This outrageous action is wrong on the facts, wrong on the process and wrong on the policy," said Stotish. "A handful of representatives have chosen to subvert the FDA's rigorous 15-year plus process. It completely ignores the results of a rigorous scientific review. This sort of political gamesmanship undermines the science-based system that protects the nation's health and safety. It is astonishing that Young and a few colleagues would try to game the system in this way."
"Whether or not you support this transgenic salmon, we should all agree these types of shenanigans have no place in a complex scientific debate. These actions threaten the fundamental basis of a science-based regulatory process. Americans deserve better from their elected representatives," Stotish added.
The FDA is currently fast-tracking a permit application by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. that would make genetically modified Atlantic salmon the first genetically engineered animal approved for human consumption. These fish, known as AquAdvantage, are designed to grow twice as fast as conventional farmed Atlantic salmon.
H.R. 2112 passed through House on January 16. The bill will now move to the U.S. Senate.
Winnemem Wintu Tribe urges Senators to block approval of Frankenfish
"Tell your Senators to do the same as the House and vote to Block FDA approval of GM Frankenfish," urged Caleen Sisk-Franco, Chief and Spiritual Leader of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. "The Frankenfish doesn't has Omega 3 sufficient to our human needs for health. They will kill the Chinook and many other species!"
The Winnemem Wintu Tribe is now working on ambitious plan to return winter-run chinook salmon to the McCloud River above Lake Shasta. Members of the Tribe traveled to New Zealand in the spring of 2010 to conduct joint ceremonies with the Maori people on the Rakaira River, where the McCloud River winter-run chinooks were introduced a century ago. The Tribe received approval from the New Zealand and Maori governments to transport the eggs to the U.S. to reintroduce the fish into the McCloud. The Tribe now needs the cooperation of the U.S. and California State Governments.
The drive by the Obama administration to approve GE salmon for human consumption takes place as Central Valley salmon and Delta fish populations are collapsing, due to massive water exports out of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to corporate agribusiness and southern California water agencies and declining water quality. While the Sacramento River fall-run chinook populations are on the upswing after record runs in 2008 and 2009, endangered winter-run Chinook and threatened fall-run Chinook salmon continue to decline.
To take action against "Frankenfish," go to: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.o... For more information about the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, go to: http://www.winnememwintu.us. |
