Mark Begich

Yes, let me hold on. I'm going to come back to the NOAA thing for all the folks here, and fisheries.

In my view, the question before the Federal Government, and before this committee, is whether we're going to allow the approval of GE fish under a flawed process that fails to adequately analyze these kinds of risks.

I have supported efforts to establish a rigorous approval process before the introduction of these animals into commerce, and am strongly committed to continuing that work.

I think this--for us at least, and for the Senate--to have a review of this issue and the process, which is now becoming really a part of the equation.

I would rather see us as a country that says no to that kind of risk, let somebody else take the risk, and we'll have better fish because of it.

I come from an oil and gas state. The game changes every day.

Government isn't very good at keeping pace with technologies as they move forward.

The regulatory process is enormous. And the amount of agencies that have to actually sign off on it... are pretty significant.

And is there a legal requirement, they have to do that?

My condolences to Senator Snowe, but my enthusiasm to Senator Begich

We need the government to stand up and do its job.

Today we are here to talk about the economic and environmental impacts of adding a completely new type of fish that was created in a laboratory into our oceans.

Demand a modern, environmental risk assessment that treats uncertainty directly, before decisions are made, on this fish or any future fish.

Thank you very much.

The stakes are high.

And, finally, demand a moratorium on GE salmon and other GE fish, including Senator Begich's bill S. 1717, until we have the science to demonstrate that there is little or no risk to wild fish in healthy oceans.

As I speak, the Food and Drug Administration is considering a landmark decision: whether to allow the first genetically engineered animal to be produced and sold for human consumption.

Well, let me pause you there. It's important because...

Demand a far more inclusive and transparent process than has happened to date.

My administration continues to have strong concerns regarding AquaBounty's application to market genetically engineered Atlantic salmon.

I am a big supporter of the concepts of this legislation. Again, disclosure to me is really critical.

It is the most ridiculous system I have ever seen.

I am looking to the two Members here who are going to do the markup with the other Members sitting here, this is going to be an insistent theme on my part.

That is right, which we require them to do.

I have seen a lot of people lose offices because of ethical issues, but you are right, journalists add to it.