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May 20th, 2016

NDP alarmed as liberals approve GM salmon

OTTAWA – New Democrats are alarmed by the Liberal government's announcement that it has approved genetically modified salmon for sale and consumption in Canada.

AquAdvantage Salmon are genetically modified to grow twice as fast as conventionally farmed salmon. With this announcement, Canadians will be faced with the world's first GM food animal with absolutely no requirement to label this product as genetically modified.

"Canadians are concerned about GMO products, so there's no question that these products ought to be clearly labelled to ensure consumers can make an informed choice about purchasing and eating them. I'm disappointed that Health Canada has declined to do so," said NDP Health Critic Don Davies (MP Vancouver Kingsway).

"It's a matter of basic consumer information. If these products are indeed safe, then the producers ought to have no problem providing this information," said Davies

NDP Fisheries and Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly (MP, Port Moody-Coquitlam) is worried about the impact this decision could have on already endangered wild Atlantic salmon.

"If this company is allowed to grow genetically modified salmon and any of these fish escape into the wild, the damage to the wild Atlantic salmon population could be irreversible," he said. "Why would the government risk our wild salmon so a single company can profit?"