Marine Harvest on Wednesday released a statement calling for proper labeling of genetically modified (GM) salmon.
According to Marine Harvest, with the existing labeling regime in the US, it will be impossible for consumers to know whether the salmon they are buying is genetically modified.
“The Food and Drug Administration has received an application for approval of GM salmon for human consumption in the US. If authorization is granted, it will be the first genetically modified animcal sold to consumers,” the company said. “Marine Harvest Group and WWF-Norway believe that consumers should be able to identify if they are buying a GM-product, and therefore demand that the GM salmon is labeled if approved for the American market.”
“Salmon is established as a healthy, safe and tasty product. A possible introduction of GM salmon is controversial and might weaken the salmon brand. Marine Harvest does not support the introduction of GM salmon. If the GM salmon is to be approved for consumption, Marine Harvest asks for it to be specifically labeled,” said Kristine Gramstad, Marine Harvest global director of communications.
“It is critical that salmon farming is produced in a way that minimize the negative impact on the environment. We know too little about the environmental impact of farming of GM salmon. ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) is a certification program for responsible aquaculture and is the most comprehensive environmental standard that exists for farmed fish. GM salmon cannot be ASC-certified, as transgenic fish are not permitted because of concerns about their unknown impact on wild,” said Karoline Andaur, head of the marine program at WWF Norway.
