FRIENDS OF MERRYMEETING BAY • December 23, 2024
A U.S. District Court has ruled the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) violated environmental laws in approving genetically engineered salmon. The FDA ignored the serious environmental consequences of approving genetically engineered salmon and the full extent of plans to grow and commercialize the salmon in the U.S. and around the world, violating the National Environmental Policy Act. The Court also ruled that FDA’s unilateral decision that genetically engineered salmon could have no possible effect on highly-endangered, wild Atlantic salmon was wrong and in violation of the Endangered Species Act. The FDA must now thoroughly analyze the environmental consequences of an escape of genetically engineered salmon into the wild. The plaintiff coalition, jointly represented by legal counsel from Center for Food Safety and Earthjustice, includes Friends ofMerrymeeting Bay.