SENATE BILL REPORT

                           ESB 5260

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 23, 1993

Brief Description:  Requiring salmon food fish to be labeled by its source and common name.

SPONSORS: Senators Spanel, Owen, Oke, Haugen, Hargrove and Snyder

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Erwin, Franklin, Haugen, Oke, Snyder, and Spanel.

Staff:  Erika Lim (786‑7488)

Hearing Dates: February 1, 1993; February 10, 1993

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES & WILDLIFE

BACKGROUND:

There are several species of salmon and their flavors and textures vary greatly.  Consumers do not always know what type of salmon they are buying, nor do they always know its source.  There are no laws which address the labeling of salmon. 

SUMMARY:

All fresh and frozen salmon sold in this state will be labeled with its common species name, its source (farmed or commercially caught), and its origin (domestic, imported, Washington-grown or Washington-caught).  A sign near the product is sufficient; each piece or package does not have to be labeled.

Violation of this law is a misdemeanor.  However, a person who receives misleading or incorrect information and who subsequently labels salmon using this information is not guilty of a violation.

The Director of the Department of Agriculture is directed to consult with the Director of the Department of Fisheries to adopt rules.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Labeling will inform consumers of the quality of salmon they are purchasing and will promote consumer confidence.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Questions regarding enforcement.

TESTIFIED:  Dayna Matthews, Dept. of Fisheries; Randy Ray, Pacific Seafood Processors Assn.; Pete Granger, WA Farmed Salmon Assn.; Julie Sandberg, Dept. of Agriculture; Lisa Thatcher, WA State Food Dealers

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Legislative findings are added.  Also additional common names for chinook and coho are added.

Commercial fishers selling to fish buyers are exempt from the labeling requirements.  Minced, pulverized, batter-coated or breaded salmon is also exempt.

Origin of salmon is not required on the label.  Also, advertising does not have to contain labeling information.