U.S and Canadian panel to present on the risks of genetically modified fish in Charlottetown

Charlottetown, October 19, 2011 – On Monday night October 24th, at The Charlottetown Rodd Hotel, U.S. and Canadian campaigners will speak about the stakes at hand with the introduction of genetically modified (GM, also called genetically engineered) Atlantic salmon in Canada and the U.S., and PEI’s central role as the proposed global supplier of GM salmon eggs.

Charlottetown, October 19, 2011 – On Monday night October 24th, at The Charlottetown Rodd Hotel, U.S. and Canadian campaigners will speak about the stakes at hand with the introduction of genetically modified (GM, also called genetically engineered) Atlantic salmon in Canada and the U.S., and PEI’s central role as the proposed global supplier of GM salmon eggs.

“PEI is at the centre of the global controversy over GM fish. The stakes are extremely high. Islanders hold the future of wild Atlantic salmon in their hands,” said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network who will be part of the Monday night panel, “PEI residents could protect global fisheries by taking action to stop the genetically modified Atlantic salmon.”

The Charlottetown event will also include Eric Hoffman, Biotechnology Policy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth U.S. in Washington DC and Jaydee Hanson, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Food Safety, also from Washington DC. Leo Broderick, Vice Chair of Council of Canadians and a PEI resident will also join the panel.

“If PEI becomes the global supplier of genetically modified salmon eggs we could be the origin of the end of Atlantic salmon,” said Leo Broderick, “This forum is a unique opportunity to get more information about this urgent issue and to hear from the U.S., where the salmon could be approved in as little as a few months.”

The small U.S. company AquaBounty has a research facility in PEI and U.S. documents revealed their plan to produce GM Atlantic salmon eggs in PEI, ship them to Panama for grow out and processing, and sell them into the U.S. consumer market. After 10 years, the U.S. government appears close to approving the salmon for human consumption.

“Fish escapes happen and we know the consequences can be devastating to native wild salmon populations. If we open this door to genetically engineered fish, we cannot close it,” said Eric Hoffman of Friends of the Earth U.S., “We cannot regulate how and where these fish will be grown in other countries. If we allow GM fish production, we will strike yet another blow against our severely endangered wild fisheries.”

“The U.S. process for reviewing the GM fish is deeply flawed,” said Jaydee Hanson, “We are very troubled that the company’s data is of such poor quality and actually points to a number of health problems. After more than 15 years, the company has produced surprisingly weak science.”

“We ask the people of PEI to join us in taking a stand against this GM fish that could threaten North American and global fisheries, and our food supply,” said Hoffman.
“We are really looking forward to learning more about PEI and hearing from Islanders on this issue,” said Hanson.

The Monday October 24th forum called “Genetically Modified Atlantic Salmon: PEI is at the centre of the global controversy over GM fish” will start at 7:00 PM at The Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. Other panel events will be held in Fredericton (October 25), Halifax (October 26), and St. John’s (October 27).

For more information: Lucy Sharratt, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, 613 241 2267 ext. 25, cell 613 263 9511; Eric Hoffman, Friends of the Earth U.S., 202 222 0747 or cell 443 465 2219, Jaydee Hanson cell 703 231 5956 www.cban.ca/events and www.cban.ca/fish