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.