Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 120
02/10/2011 05:00 PM House FISHERIES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview(s): Alaska Board of Fisheries (bof) | |
| HJR8 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HJR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HJR 8-OPPOSE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SALMON
5:47:48 PM
CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8, Urging the United States Food
and Drug Administration to deny an application to sell
genetically engineered salmon in the United States; urging
compliance with the provision of P.L. 110-85 (Food and Drug
Administration Amendments Act of 2007) that requires the
Commissioner of Food and Drugs to consult with the National
Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration regarding a report on environmental risks
associated with genetically engineered seafood products; and
urging that product labeling requirements include the words
"Genetically Modified" prominently displayed on the front of the
package if the application is approved by the United States Food
and Drug Administration.
5:48:30 PM
JOS GOVAARS, Staff, Representative Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, presented HJR8, paraphrasing from the sponsor
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
House Joint Resolution 8 (HJR8) is introduced to urge
the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
to deny any application to sell genetically engineered
salmon in the United States. HJR8 also calls on
Congress to enact product labeling requirements that
include the words "Genetically Modified" which are
prominently displayed on the package if the
application is approved by the FDA.
Recently, the FDA held hearings to approve a hybrid
Atlantic salmon as the first genetically engineered
animal for human consumption. The FDA's consideration
for approval of this "frankenfish" is a risky
precedent and a threat to Alaska's wild salmon. The
hybrid Atlantic salmon has been engineered by crossing
Chinook salmon growth genes and an antifreeze gene
from an eel, the ocean pout. The genes allow the new
creation dubbed the AquAdvantage salmon to grow about
twice as fast as its natural cousin.
Salmon farms in Canada, Europe and South America have
been criticized for crowded conditions, fecal
contamination, use of chemicals, proliferation of
disease and escapees. Atlantic salmon have been
caught in Alaska's waters, escaping from neighboring
fish farms in British Columbia; many infested with sea
lice. They are considered an invasive species by
Alaskans.
HJR8 will send the clear message to the Federal
Government, Alaska's Congressional Delegation, the
Food and Drug Administration and President Obama that
the Alaska State Legislature does not condone the
growth, sale or release of genetically engineered
salmon in the United States. Please join me in
supporting House Joint Resolution 8 and help make
Alaska's salmon safe.
5:50:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said the WHEREAS on page 2, line 11,
states the proposal to create these genetically modified (GMO)
fish, and asked whether an additional provision be included to
clarify that these fish are currently being produced.
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI responded that there are none being
produced, or approved for production, in the United States.
MR. GOVAARS interjected that production is occurring in Canada
followed by shipment to Panama for fish farming purposes.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON maintained an interest in having the
resolution include an additional provision indicating that these
fish do exist. He then asked about the likelihood of the
Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving GMO fish
for consumption.
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI stated that lobbying the FDA is
occurring. He said it is important to provide support to the
Alaskan delegation in Washington D.C, and send a clear message
to the United States president that this action is not supported
by Alaska. Further, the window for comment will close in the
coming months, placing a measure of urgency on the resolution.
5:53:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON turned to the bill page 1, line 1, and
pointed out the language "deny an application," to ask whether
it should be changed to read "any application". The existing
language suggests that the first application would be denied but
succeeding applications could be approved.
5:54:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT directed attention to the bill page 3,
line 10, to point out that the Honorable John Boehner is now the
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; not the Minority
Leader as indicated.
5:55:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLER called attention to the bill page 3, line
4, to suggest changing the language reading "if the application
is" to "if applications are", and page 1, line 11, to point out
"an application" should be changed to "any application".
CHAIR THOMPSON opened public testimony.
5:56:28 PM
GERALD McCUNE, Lobbyist, United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA),
stated support for HJR 8, and expressed concern for the
possibility of the FDA approval going through and not requiring
labeling. He pointed out that the Alaskan seafood industry has
spent millions of dollars marketing Alaskan salmon, and said a
GMO fish product will cause confusion in the market place.
Further, if someone is introduced to salmon through the eating
of GMO fish, they may never discover the delicacy of the wild
salmon that Alaska has to offer. Timing is crucial on getting
this resolution through, he finished.
The committee took an at-ease from 5:58 p.m. to 5:59 p.m.
CHAIR THOMPSON closed public testimony
5:59:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON proposed Amendment 1:
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "an application"
Insert "any application"
Hearing no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
6:00:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON offered that an additional provision, as
suggested by Representative Herron, could be brought to the next
committee of referral [House Resources Standing Committee].
6:00:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT offered Amendment 2:
Page 3, line 10:
Delete "Minority Leader"
Insert "Speaker"
Hearing no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
6:01:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON indicated that legal services will re-word
the document to be consistent with Amendment 1.
6:01:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved to report HJR 8, as amended, from
the House Special Committee on Fisheries. Hearing no objection,
CSHJR 8(FSH) was reported out of committee.