Environmental groups appeal ruling approving GM salmon production

HALIFAX – Environmental groups are appealing a Federal Court ruling not to overturn Environment Canada’s decision to approve the production of genetically modified salmon eggs in P.E.I.

The Ecology Action Centre in Halifax is fighting the ruling which it says creates too much uncertainty about the environmental risks of commercially growing out the genetically-modified salmon.

The group’s Mark Butler says federal scientists did not evaluate the salmon grow-out in Canada.

He says they’re concerned about possible fish escapes and the risk to wild salmon.

The group and Living Oceans Society argued in court that the federal government did not follow its own legislated rules and conduct a full risk assessment before clearing AquaBounty to produce the eggs on the Island.

However, Judge Russel W. Zinn dismissed the claims and found the federal ministers’ decisions were reasonable and followed the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.