Judge rules against FDA decision approving genetically modified salmon
ANCHORAGE – Opponents of genetically modified salmon scored a legal victory last week as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California judge ruled the Food and Drug Administration broke the law when it approved “AquAdvantage” salmon and agreed with environmental groups who fear the altered salmon could damage wild populations.
Rep. Geran Tarr is a longtime opponent of genetically modified salmon and helped pass HJR 5 in 2013 and HJR 12 in 2018. Today, she released the following statement:
“This court decision is good news for Alaskans who overwhelmingly oppose genetically modified salmon and the introduction of this experimental product into our food chain. Alaskans are concerned about impacts on human health as well as the environment, and this court decision proves the concerns are well-founded.
On Thursday, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California judge ruled the FDA violated both the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act in approving ‘AquAdvantage’ salmon and did not fully assess possible environmental impacts. These are the same concerns we have expressed for years, and I was proud to pass two resolutions to formally put this opposition to genetically modified salmon on the record. I will continue fighting against genetically modified salmon – or Frankenfish, as we’ve come to call it – from disrupting our healthy, wild Alaska salmon runs.”
– Rep. Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage), House Resources Committee Co-Chair
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CONTACT
Austin Baird
Communications Director
Alaska House Majority
(907) 465-6791
Austin.Baird@akleg.gov
