Salmon eggs. (Photo: Stock File)
Environmental groups evaluate to appeal GM salmon ruling
(CANADA, 1/8/2016)
Two environmental groups are evaluating the federal court ruling confirming the Canadian government approval of a demand to produce eggs of genetically modified salmon in Prince Edward Island (PEI), to decide whether to undertake other legal actions.
The sentence is the response of a lawsuit lead by Ecology Action Centre and Living Oceans Society, represented by Ecojustice lawyers, arguing that the federal government's approval was granted without adequate public notice, and purported to allow the organisms to be used and grown-out at other, un-assessed, locations throughout the country.
Although the ecology groups welcomed the restriction the ruling applies on AquaBounty to manufacture genetically-modified salmon eggs to its P.E.I. facility, they remain concerned about the implications of the decision.
In this sense, the ways in which the organism can and cannot be used across the country has not been clarified.
In addition, both organizations stress that even though Russell W. Zinn's judgment supports official approval, it also confirms that the government cannot maintain its practice of waiting years to publish notice when it waives information requirements, because it frustrates the goal of transparency.
Meanwhile, Mark Butler of the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax said they are studying the Federal Court ruling and will decide next month whether to challenge it.
The group, along with Living Oceans Society, argued in court that the federal government did not follow its own legislated rules and conducted a full risk assessment before clearing AquaBounty to produce the eggs on Prince Eduard Island, Montreal Gazette informed.
AquaBounty CEO Ron Stotish said in a statement that the court ruling supports the company's claim that the eggs do not pose any risk to the environment or human health.
The court ruling will allow the firm to continue with plans to produce the eggs in P.E.I. and grow them out in Panama.
Although AquaBounty received approval from Environment Canada for the production of Atlantic salmon fish eggs at the Island hatchery, it has not received approval to market the fish for human consumption in this country.
Health Canada is reviewing a submission by AquaBounty to sell the salmon in Canada.
Related articles:
- Environmentalists worry about GMO salmon approval for human consumption
- NGOs sue federal Govt over GM salmon
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