Rep. Tarr’s House Joint Resolution 28 Passed Unanimously
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2016
Juneau – The Alaska House of Representatives voted unanimously Friday night in favor of House Joint Resolution 28 sponsored by House Resources Committee member Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage). HJR 28 puts the Alaska House on record opposing the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of a genetically engineered salmon being sold for human consumption. Additionally, the resolution urges Congress to enact legislation requiring genetically engineered products be labeled.
“There is the potential of great harm to Alaska’s tremendous wild salmon resource by allowing these Frankenfish to be created in a lab and sold in direct competition to sustainably-caught wild salmon,” said Rep. Tarr. “Friday night’s vote shows that every member of the Alaska House of Representatives realizes the economic and biological dangers these genetically engineered salmon pose to Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, which is a pillar of our economy.”
Last year, the FDA approved the AquaBounty AquAdvantage genetically engineered salmon. It’s the first time a genetically modified animal has been approved by the FDA for human consumption. The FDA’s decision is unanimously opposed by Alaska’s Congressional Delegation and now the Alaska House of Representatives joins that opposition.
“The commercial fishing industry is our number one private sector employer and our annual seafood exports total over $3.25 billion. Our wild Alaska salmon is a part of our way of life and our sustainable fisheries can help us through this tough fiscal times,” said Rep. Tarr. “We should do everything we can to help our fisheries, our fishing families, coastal communities, and the thousands who rely on healthy fisheries for their livelihood.”
HJR 28 was approved by the Alaska House of Representatives Friday night by vote of 35-0. The resolution now goes to the Alaska Senate for consideration.
For more information, please contact Alaska Independent Democratic Coalition Press Secretary Mike Mason at (907) 444-0889.
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