AquaBounty Facing Environmental Complaint in Panama

A U.S. company with a Prince Edward Island research facility is facing a complaint in Panama alleging that it is in breach of the country’s environmental regulations.

The Environmental Advocacy Center of Panama submitted a complaint to the country’s National Environmental Authority earlier this week alleging that AquaBounty’s research and development of Genetically Modified  (GM) Atlantic salmon is in breach of environmental regulations.

The company produces salmon eggs in P.E.I., which are then shipped to Panama for further research and development.

Sharon Labchuk, of the P.E.I. group “Islanders Say No to Frankenfish”, said she was surprised at the complaint.

“We always assume that because something is as controversial as this is, the proper controls are in place,” said Labchuk. “It’s also very experimental and the risks of anything going wrong are disastrous. They can wipe out the wild salmon population if these fish ever escape and their eggs end up in the wild rivers.”

The National Environmental Authority in Panama conducted an inspection of the AquaBounty operation in 2012 and allegedly found violations that remained uncorrected by the company. Those...