Experts take stock of B.C. fish and policies
By Grant Warkentin, Vancouver Sun June 4, 2012
Re: Fish infections raise issue of public's right to know, Letters, May 30
Viruses can be found in practically all of the meat, and even in the vegetables, we buy at local supermarkets.
Does this sound scary? It isn't. Viruses are everywhere, and are part of our natural environment. They are the most abundant form of life on this planet. And almost all of them pose no risk to animal or human health.
IHN virus poses no risk to humans, and is low risk to wild salmon, which have naturally carried the virus for centuries.
If you've ever eaten wild salmon, you've probably eaten IHN virus. If you've ever eaten vegetables, you've probably eaten plant viruses.
If Jim Rosgen wants to lobby for warning labels on farmed salmon which may carry IHN virus, he had better lobby for the same warning labels on wild salmon, which also carry the same virus. And perhaps he should lobby for warning labels on vegetables, water and air, which also contain viruses.
Grant Warkentin Mainstream Canada
Grant responded to the following letter from Jim Rosgen, an active Salmon are Sacred supporter:
Fish infections raise issue of public's right to know
By Jim Rosgen, Vancouver Sun May 30, 2012
Re: Another B.C. fish farm is quarantined following detection of lethal virus, May 28
With the cull of over a half-million salmon from a Mainstream fish feed-lot near Tofino, it is time we warn the public what is in some of the food they may buy at local supermarkets.
While the Mainstream farm has been emptied, and fish destroyed, two more outbreaks have been reported in B.C. and one in Washington state.
A farm in Sechelt has been quarantined for the IHN virus, as has a second facility in Tofino. Another farm in Washington state has also tested positive for the virus.
What is disturbing about these facilities is their intention to sell the infected fish to the public, rather than cull them.
As a result, you can expect infected fish in local supermarkets, with no warning labels.
The government and the aqua-culture industry say the virus is not known to be harmful to humans, but at one time neither was the avian flu virus until it had a chance to mutate in overcrowded factory conditions. I don't understand how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can allow this product to be sold to an unsuspecting public.
In addition, the B.C. government has a law in front of the legislature which would restrict the dissemination of information on diseases on farms in B.C., with disclosure penalties up to $75,000 and two years in jail. Once this is passed, information on this questionable industry will dry up.
Jim Rosgen Sointula
