Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3808 Mar 29- Apr 12 2019 | Page 30

28 Mar 29 - Apr 12, 2019 VOL.38 • ISS. 8 Fish Groups Slam FDA Lifting of Import Ban on GMO Frankenfish T he federal Food and Drug Admin- and allied groups are currently in court istration (FDA) on March 8 challenging the approval of farmed salmon carrying foreign genes that change announced that it will lift the import ban the basic DNA of the fish,” said John on eggs of AquaBounty’s genetically McManus, president, Golden Gate Salmon modified salmon product, drawing praise Association. “You have to wonder how from the company and strong criticism much money changed hands to get our from fishing organizations. “Today, we are taking another important government to now allow this franken- fish onto unwary American consumers. step by deactivating a 2016 import alert Consumers should tell their grocers not that prevented GE salmon from entering to carry this product. They should also the U.S.” claimed FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “The FDA’s approval tell their Congressional representatives to require clear labeling so no one ends up of the application related to AquAdvan- eating this material unknowingly.” tage Salmon followed a comprehensive The Golden Gate Salmon Association analysis of the scientific evidence, which (www.goldengatesalmonassociation.org) determined that the GE Atlantic salmon is a coalition of salmon advocates that met the statutory requirements for safety includes commercial and recreational and effectiveness under the Federal Food, salmon fisherman, businesses, restaurants, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.” a native tribe, environmentalists, elected AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. said the officials, families and communities that lifting of the import alert would allow the rely on salmon. Company to start farming AquAdvantage After the FDA approved Aquabounty Salmon in Indiana. salmon for human consumption in 2015, “We are delighted that FDA has Congress in 2016 directed the FDA lifted the import alert, which will allow not to allow into commerce any food AquaBounty to begin producing and that contains GE salmon until it issued marketing AquAdvantage Salmon in the final labeling guidelines for informing United States,” said Sylvia Wulf, Chief consumers of the GE salmon content in Executive Officer of AquaBounty. “As the food. The FDA complied with this FDA notes in this announcement, our requirement by implementing an import salmon was approved by the agency alert in 2016 that prevented GE salmon over three years ago based upon a very from entering the U.S. comprehensive science-based review “With Congress’ enactment of the process, which established that our salmon National Bioengineered Food Disclo- was safe, nutritious, and environmen- sure Standard, the U.S. Department of tally sound and met all other regulatory Agriculture (USDA) was charged with requirements.” implementing a mandatory standard for “We will immediately start the process disclosing whether a food is ‘bioengi- to import AquAdvantage eggs from our neered’ and FDA was divested of its hatchery in Canada to begin grow out at authority over voluntary labeling to our Indiana facility,” she said. indicate the presence of GE content in Both the Pacific Coast Federation of human foods,” according to Gottlieb. Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) and “The FDA no longer has the authority the Golden Gate Salmon Association to issue labeling guidance on this topic; (GGSA) blasted the decision and vowed however, the FDA believes this Congres- they will fight keep fighting against the sional mandate has been satisfied by the import of frankenfish for the U.S. market. USDA’s issuance of final regulations “A loophole has now been created that implementing that law in late 2018 will allow the first genetically modified because the law and regulations require animal engineered for human consump- tion to enter the US market: GMO Atlantic that human food containing GE salmon bear labeling indicating that it is bioengi- salmon,” said Pacific Coast Federation neered. Therefore, the FDA is deactivating of Fishermen’s Associations executive the import alert that prevented food from director Noah Oppenheim. “Fishermen AquAdvantage Salmon, including salmon have been fighting against the possibility eggs used to grow the fish, from entering of these frankenfish entering our waters the U.S.” he claimed. and our markets for years, and we won’t stop now. Consumers, beware: this product is not the sustainable seafood you know and love.” The Pacific Coast We carry Lead Free Pistol ammo for Federation of Fisher- the hunter who wants to carry his men’s Associations is handgun in Lead Free Hunting Zones. the largest commercial fishermen’s organi- Available in a variety of calibers... zation on the West CALL FOR DETAILS! Coast, representing 17 local and regional THE LARGEST SELECTION OF AIR GUN PELLETS associations from ON THE WEST COAST – GUARANTEED!! Santa Barbara to 10% Southeast Alaska. 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H, Sacramento, CA 95838 By Dan Bacher California Groups Warn Senators That David Bernhardt Is Acting on Behalf of Former Clients SACRAMENTO - Fishing, water and environmental groups and tribal leaders from throughout California on March l7 brought up serious ethical questions about acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt in a letter sent to Senators Warren, Blumenthal and Harris. In a joint press release, the coalition said, “A brutal confirmation fight is expected soon in the Senate as President Trump has now nominated Bernhardt to permanently lead the Department of the Interior. Bernhardt has served as deputy secretary since early in the Trump admin- istration, and became acting secretary after Ryan Zinke resigned in December 2018 under an ethical cloud.” According to a story I broke in January a fish survey that the California Depart- ment of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) conducts every autumn turned up zero Delta smelt — the very same fish that Bernhardt is trying to strip protections for — throughout the monitoring sites in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in September, October, November and December 2018. The coalition sending the letter includes the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, AquAlli- ance, North Coast Rivers Alliance, Crab Boat Owners Association, California Water Impact Network, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association, Environmental Water Caucus, Sierra Club California, Southern California Watershed Alliance, Institute for Fisheries Resources, CA Save our Streams Council, Save the American River Association, Local Agencies of the Delta, Restore the Delta, and Planning and Conservation League, Bernhardt, who has also lobbied for the oil industry, has served as one of the main architects of the Trump adminis- tration’s agenda. CNN has reported that since Bernhardt joined Interior in 2017, the agency has made at least 15 policy changes, decisions or proposals that would directly benefit Bernhardt’s former clients, mostly regarding oil industry concerns. California groups warn Congress that Bernhardt’s clients also included Califor- nia’s powerful Westlands Water District, the largest agricultural water district in the United States, located on the arid west side of the San Joaquin Valley. In his lobbying disclosures, Bernhardt had listed “potential legislation regarding the Bureau of Reclamation and the Endangered Species Act” under his specific lobbying areas, including trying to minimize protec- tions for endangered fish populations due to limited water flows. “Bernhardt signed an executive branch ethics pledge required him to refrain from participating in decisions that he previ- ously worked on as a lobbyist for two years. Activists believe he has not honored this pledge and warn that he is now partic- ipating in decision that would send more water from the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary to Fresno-based Westlands and weak endangered fish protections,” according to the groups. In the letter sent, California organiza- tions warn that: • “Westlands is seeking a permanent water contract to replace their two-year interim contract under Section 4011 of the WIIN Act whereby they will be free from acreage limitations and full cost pricing of water deliveries. The contract is being negotiated in secret and could allow for the permanent delivery of 1 million acre-feet of water per year, enough for 1 to 2 million households annually, for the benefit of under 400 farms, despite drought conditions in California. No public record exists of how this will impact public trust resources and water planning in California.” • “The Secretary of Interior could rule as soon as April, 2019 determining the financial conditions for this permanent water contract with such dramatic changes. Yet, questions remain unan- swered about Westlands Water District’s obligation to repay its share of over $80 million back to the Federal Government for unauthorized Delta tunnels planning expenses. Presently, the Delta tunnels project, known as California WaterFix, has been placed on hold by Governor Newsom to allow for the possible redevel- opment of a single tunnel project for Cali- fornia’s State Water Project. Westlands is no longer a participating member in WaterFix “ The KFBK OUTDOOR SHOW 3507 1 Rated with your Outdoor Radio Show host for 26 years! # Bob Simms Fishing • Hunting • Destinations Conservation • History Dedicated to the Northern California Outdoorsman Listen Every Saturday Morning from 5 am to 8am on BOB SIMMS CALIFORNIA’S LONGEST RUNNING OUTDOOR TALK SHOW!