"Senator Blocking FDA Nominee Over Biotech Salmon"

"WASHINGTON -- Sen. Lisa Murkowski is holding up President Barack Obama's nominee to run the Food and Drug Administration to force the labeling of genetically engineered salmon.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Tuesday approved Robert Califf's nomination as FDA commissioner, but Murkowski, an Alaska Republican on the panel, said she would insist on getting the labeling issue addressed before the Senate votes on him.

Murkowski, who has unsuccessfully demanded that FDA require labeling of the fish, said she met with Califf in November and that he didn't give her any warning that the agency would announce approval of the biotech fish two days later."

Philip Brasher reports for Agri-Pulse January 12, 2016.