Press Releases
Canadian Government Receiving Royalties from Genetically Modified Salmon Sales
March 22, 2018. The Canadian government is receiving 10% royalties from sales of the world’s first genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) animal, a GM Atlantic salmon. “We’re concerned that the government is responsible for regulating this GM fish and also has a stake in its success,” said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN).
Health Canada approves GM “Golden Rice” not intended for sale in Canada
March 20, 2018. Ottawa – Health Canada has announced its approval of the genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) Vitamin A enhanced “Golden Rice” even though it is not intended for sale in Canada and has not yet been approved by regulators in the intended markets. “Health Canada should not be spending public resources to assess the safety of GM foods that will not be sold in Canada,” said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN).
Major Grocery Retailers Across North America Reject Genetically Engineered Fish
November 17, 2017. As the world’s first sale of genetically engineered, the top food retailers across Canada and the U.S. have made public statements that they have no plans to sell the genetically engineered salmon.
Unlabelled genetically modified salmon discovered sold into Quebec, Canada
October 12, 2017. Investigations by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, Ecology Action Centre and the Quebec network Vigilance OGM reveal that the world’s first sale of genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) salmon could have gone exclusively into the Quebec market.
Canadians unknowingly eating GM salmon
AquaBounty revealed on August 4, in its quarterly financial results, that it has sold approximately five tonnes of genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) Atlantic salmon fillets in Canada. This is the world’s first sale of GM fish for human consumption and has occurred without GM product labelling for Canadian consumers. (August 4, 2017)
Federal government says GM salmon needs scientific assessment before commercial production at Rollo Bay, PEI
July 26, 2017: Contrary to reports that no federal assessment is necessary before growing genetically modified (GM) Atlantic salmon at Rollo Bay in PEI, the government has confirmed that the company AquaBounty does not yet have federal approval to commercially produce GM fish at its new Rollo Bay facility.
World’s First GM Fish Factory Needs Risk Assessment
June 27, 2017: Today, local and national environmental groups expressed profound concern over a decision by the Government of Prince Edward Island to approve construction of the world’s first factory to grow genetically modified (GM, also called genetically engineered) fish.
Groups Call on Grocery Stores to Reject GM Fish and Produce as Parliament Votes Down Mandatory Labelling for GM Foods
May 17, 2017. Members of Parliament voted down Private Member’s Bill C-291 for mandatory labelling of genetically modified (GM, also called genetically engineered) foods. “Transparency and traceability are missing in Canada when it comes to GM foods,” said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. “The continued lack of mandatory labelling is an untenable situation for consumers.”
Canada’s Parliament to Vote on Mandatory Labelling for GM Foods
May 15, 2017. On Wednesday, May 17th, Members of Parliament will vote on Private Member’s Bill C-291 for mandatory labelling of genetically modified (GM) foods. “Labelling is necessary for transparency and traceability in our food system,” said Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. “Canadians want to know where GM foods are in their grocery stores.” Polls over twenty years consistently show that over 75 percent of Canadians want GM foods labelled.
World’s first GM fish factory could be in Canada
April 26, 2017 – The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), Ecology Action Centre, and GMO Free PEI have become aware of an application to the Prince Edward Island government from the biotechnology company AquaBounty that reveals the company’s intention to raise genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) Atlantic salmon in PEI. If approved, this would be the world’s first GM fish factory.