Tomorrow, Friday April 26, is your last chance to submit a comment to the FDA regarding the approval of genetically modified salmon.
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to submit your comment!
Today Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), along with Bob King, Fisheries Legislative Assistant to Senator Mark Begich, and Julianne Curry, Executive Director of United Fishermen of Alaska, met with a dozen Federal Drug Administration staff to express Alaskans’ concerns with an application to allow the sale of genetically modified salmon, dubbed “Frankenfish,” in the United States.
“This is a historic decision,” said Tarr. “The eyes of the world are on the United States as the FDA considers, for the first time ever, allowing a genetically modified animal to be sold for human consumption.”
The FDA is accepting comments on the application by AquaBounty, a Massachusetts based biotechnology company, until Friday, April 26th.
“We have spoken in one unified Alaskan voice in objecting to this application,” Tarr said.
“The Governor, Senators Begich and Murkowski, Congressman Young, and by unanimous support of HJR 5, the legislature, all have spoken against the sale of GM salmon.”
Tarr recently returned from a trip to Prince Edward Island where genetically modified eggs are produced by AquaBounty, where she met with Premier Robert Ghiz and legislative leaders about the strong objections Alaskans have about this application.
Many Alaskan organizations, businesses, and local governments, including United Fishermen of Alaska, Alaska Trollers Association, Cordova District Fishermen United, Southeast Alaska Fishing Association, Petersburg Vessel Owners Association, Southeast Alaska Guides Organization, individual fishermen, Alaska Glacier Seafoods, Pickled Willys, Seabeef, International Seafoods of Alaska, City and Borough of Haines, City and Borough of Yakutat, the Alaska Delegation, and the Governor.
Last week, Sitka based grocery store Sea Mart Quality Foods and Market Center said they will be joining over 2,000 grocery stores across the country in pledging not to sell genetically engineered salmon. Trader Joe’s recently announced they would not sell GM salmon in their stores.
Alaskans have until Friday, April 26th to submit comments. Comments can be submitted by visiting
www.RepGeranTarr.com or by visiting
www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2011-N-0899-0685