Hello -

Our GMO spokesperson reminds us we are fighting for the future of our food system!

Hope your new year is off to a fabulous start! We’ve been working hard this fall getting out talking to as many people as possible in support of GMO labeling. We’ve also kept up our fight on GMO salmon.

GREAT NEWS! Our GMO Labeling Bill was released to the public today! Read more about effort below.

Be a part of our effort! Click on this link to print your own No GMO sign to add to our photo collage of supporters.

FRANKENFISH UPDATE

As the saying goes, no news is good news. We are still waiting to hear from the FDA about whether or not they will approve GM salmon. A big thank you to Senator Begich for putting the FDA on notice to not issue a surprise holiday ruling like they did in 2012 on the final comment period.

You can read the press release and letter from Senator Begich by clicking the link.

While we haven’t received news from the FDA, we did receive bad news in November that the Canadian government would allow the production of GM salmon eggs on Prince Edward Island. This is necessary as Aquabounty’s proposal includes raising GM salmon eggs in Canada, shipping them to Panama for growth, and then selling the Frankenfish in the United States. Canadians opposed to Frakenfish responded with harsh criticism.

“We’re devastated that Prince Edward Island is now officially the home of the Frankenfish,” said Leo Broderick of the Prince Edward Island (PEI) group called Islanders Say No to Frankenfish, “We don’t want our Island to be the source of this dangerous living pollution.”

“We are extremely disappointed and alarmed that our government has approved the production of GM fish eggs. GM salmon egg production in Canada endangers the future of wild Atlantic salmon around the world,” said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. “It’s simply crazy that the world’s first GM fish eggs are now going to be coming from Canada.”

Also in November, a Panamanian environmental group filed a complaint alleging that AquaBounty’s research and development of the GM fish, using eggs from Canada, was not in compliance with national and international environmental regulations.

I will continue with work with concerned individuals in Alaska, Canada, and Panama to stop GM salmon!

GMO Labeling Update

This fall I’ve been reaching out to Alaskans statewide to build support for our GMO Labeling bill. The response has been overwhelmingly in support! Here’s a snapshot of our fall activities:

September

GMO Labeling Presentation to Bartlett Club: I was a guest speaker at the Bartlett Club discussing GMOs and why our labeling legislation is necessary. Many were surprised to learn how widespread the use of GMOs is in our food.

See photos here.

October

March Against Monsanto: This event was part of an international protest, taking aim at one of the largest GMO developers and manufacturers in the world. The March followed a May event in which Anchorage participated, with 400 other cities in 49 countries across 6 continents.

See photos here.

Northwest Tribal Water Rights Conference: I was an invited speaker on a panel discussing why GMOs threaten food security in Alaska, our labeling legislation and efforts to oppose GM salmon or Frankenfish.

See photos here.

DECEMBER

GMO Labeling Presentation at Unitarian Church: I was an invited speaker to the morning service at the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Church. The response was very positive, as many had heard about GMOs and had some concerns. We had a thoughtful discussion about the issues and how we can work to improve our food system.

See photos here.

Sincerely,

Representative Geran Tarr

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SESSION
State Capitol Bldg. Room 114
Juneau, AK 99801
P (907) 465-3424 F (907) 465-3793

INTERIM
716 W. 4th Ave Ste 340
Anchorage, AK 99501-2133
P (907) 269-0144 F (907) 269-0148

Rep.Geran.Tarr@akleg.gov
http://www.repgerantarr.com/
http://www.facebook.com/geran.tarr

Write a Letter to the Editor submit your 175 word letter to the Anchorage Daily News via e-mail letter@adn.com, or fax them to 258-2157, attn: letters to the editor.

CONTACT THE GOVERNOR

550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1700
Anchorage, AK 99501
T (907) 269-7450 F (907) 269-7461
EMAIL: Sean.parnell@alaska.gov

STATE of ALASKA
http://alaska.gov/
State Info (907) 269-5111

Senator Mark Begich
510 L St, Ste 750
Anchorage, AK 99501
T (907) 271-5915 F (907) 258-9305
Toll-free (877) 501 - 6275
EMAIL: Sen. Mark Begich

Senator Lisa Murkowski
510 L Street, Suite 600
Anchorage, AK 99501
T (907) 271-3735 F (877) 857-0322
EMAIL: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Congressman Don Young
4241 B Street, Suite 203
Anchorage, AK 99503
T (907) 271-5978 F (907) 271-5950
EMAIL: Rep. Don Young