Congress Unites Against FDA Approval of Genetically Engineered Salmon
Statement by Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch
Washington, DC – “On Tuesday, a bi-partisan group of U.S. House Representatives introduced critical legislation (H.R. 521) mirroring a Senate bill from the end of January (S. 230) to keep the first genetically engineered (GE) food animal, AquaBounty Technologies AquaAdvantage salmon, off our plates. The controversial fish, which the FDA may approve any day now despite widespread opposition from the public and many federal lawmakers, has potentially disastrous consumer health and environmental consequences.”
“It is significant that Congress is united in taking a strong stand against this risky experiment. Food & Water Watch applauds Representatives Young, DeFazio, Jones, Polis, Stark, and Wu along with Senators Begich, Murkowski and Murray for overcoming party divides to join together in protecting U.S. consumers from this largely untested product.“
“Over 90 percent of the public does not want the FDA allowing GE meat into our food supply and even experts at federal agencies like the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recognize environmental concerns. Why the FDA continues moving toward approval is baffling. To approve GE salmon now would represent flagrant disregard for the legislative process and the concerns loudly expressed by the U.S. public.”
“At least 30 House members and 14 senators have written the Obama administration either expressing serious concerns about the manner in which the FDA conducted its review of Aquabounty’s GE salmon, or calling for the outright prohibition of its approval for human consumption. So why isn’t the FDA listening?”
CONTACT: Lauren Wright, lwright(at)fwwatch(dot)org; 202-683-4929.