Pool 32 Mag No. 4

As it turns out, the Premier of BC was in China on a trade-mission on the day of the government press conference.

British Columbia Minister of Agriculture Don McRae noted: “It is vitally important that we base our policy decisions on sound science so as to preserve and protect BC’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high quality seafood to the world. This is particularly true for the dozens of coastal communities that rely on wild and farmed fisheries to feed their families and maintain their way of life. Reckless allegations based on incomplete science can be devastating to these communities and unfair to the families that make a living from the sea. Since Premier Clark is currently on a trade mission to China, I have personally asked her to reassure our valued trading partners that now, as always, BC can be relied upon as a supplier of safe, sustainable seafood.” ( source : fishnewseu.com ) The news that the industry is going downhill because they have more product than the world wants and that the BC Premier, on a trade mission in China, was immediately briefed on BC’s hastily-declared ISA virus - free status does raise questions. Perhaps the CFIA and DFO have the only lab that can’t find ISA virus in the samples, but isn’t it a bit reckless to declare there is “no evidence that ISA virus occurs in BC”? Isn’t 6 positive tests from world-class ISA virus labs “evidence”? Was this press conference an effort to encourage China to buy up the farm salmon product that is now piling up worldwide?