PRESS ADVISORY: Genetically Engineered Salmon – Indigenous Leaders Panel & Film

PRESS ADVISORY

Media Contacts:

Simone Adler, Organizing Director, Community Alliance for Global Justice: 215-873-4672 | [email protected]

Jonathan Shipley, Marketing Manager, Town Hall Seattle: 206-437-7438 | [email protected]

 

 

 

Salmon People Film & Panel Sheds Light on Genetically Engineered Salmon

 

SEATTLE, WA April 5, 2019 – On Tuesday, April 9, indigenous leaders and food system advocates will speak about the first-ever GE animal to be approved by the FDA, genetically-engineered salmon, which just received the green light to be sold commercially in the US. Their presentation will follow the screening of the short film Salmon People: The Risks of Genetically Engineered Fish for the Pacific Northwest, a 4-minute film released in 2018 by Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ), and co-produced with the Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project and New Canoe Media. The film features President Sharp and Valarie Segrest, both panelists at this event.

 

What: Film Screening and Discussion: Salmon People: Northwest Native Opposition to Genetically Engineered Fish. Co-produced by CAGJ and Town Hall Seattle.

When: Tuesday, April 9th 2019, doors open 6pm, event is 7-8:30pm

Where: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, 104 17th Ave S. Seattle, WA

Who: Panel of indigenous and advocacy perspectives – all key activists working on Northwest Native food security and justice in the Pacific Northwest. Invited: media and community members.

 

The Federal Drug Administration has set the stage for GE salmon to end up on our dinner plates and further entrench the struggle of Native tribes in protecting wild salmon’s essential ecological and cultural role. In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published labeling guidelines for GE foods with weak requirements that could confuse consumers, paving a way for GE salmon to enter the U.S. market without clear labels. In March, the FDA lifted the import ban on eggs of AquaBounty’s GE Atlantic salmon product, creating a loophole that allows for GE be sold commercially. Since the new USDA labeling guidelines don’t require GE products to be labeled “genetically engineered”, consumers will not know what kind of fish they are buying.

 

This event is an educational opportunity for the public and media to learn more about the threats of GE salmon directly from President Fawn Sharp of the Quinault Indian Nation and two leaders of the Muckleshoot Tribe, Valerie Segrest and Alan Stay. The FDA did not consult indigenous groups who rely on salmon for food, income, and culture. Northwest Tribes have already organized to pass multiple resolutions urging federal agencies to stunt GE salmon production and distribution before industry and state actors make good faith conferrals with the governments of the Northwest Treaty Tribes. These panelists will discuss why Native Northwest peoples oppose GE salmon including the lawsuit against the FDA, and give background to the tribal treaty rights to salmon and co-management of Northwest fisheries. Food and Technology expert Dana Perls with Friends of the Earth will join the panel to talk about the ongoing efforts to prevent GE salmon from being produced in the U.S., and ensuring clear labeling laws.

 

This event is $5 and tickets can be purchased online (townhallseattle.org/event/salmon-people) and at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

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Posted in Events, Food Justice Blog Posts, News, Slider.

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