NASCO GUIDELINES FOR ACTION ON TRANSGENIC SALMON

THE PARTIES to NASCO are aware of the development of transgenic salmon (i.e. salmon that contain genes from another organism).  While there may be benefits from the introduction of such salmon if, for example, they could not interbreed with wild stocks the Council recognises that there are also risks which may lead to irreversible genetic changes and ecological interactions.

The Council considers that there is an urgent need to take steps to ensure the protection of the wild stocks and has therefore agreed to cooperate to develop means such that transgenic salmon cannot impact upon wild salmon stocks.  The following specific steps are agreed.

The Parties will:

a)   advise the NASCO Council of any proposal to permit the rearing of transgenic    salmonids and provide details of the proposed method of containment and other measures to safeguard the wild stocks;

b)   take all possible actions to ensure that the use of transgenic salmon, in any part of the NASCO Convention Area, is confined to secure, self-contained, land-based facilities;

c)   take into account the ongoing work by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to develop a Protocol on Biosafety;

d)   inform their salmon producers of the potentially serious risks to wild stocks of this development and consult with the salmon farming industry on this matter through the new Liaison Group established between NASCO and the international salmon farming industry;

e)   take steps, as appropriate, to improve knowledge on the potential impacts of transgenic fish on the wild stocks and their habitat;

f)   examine the trade implications associated with transgenic salmon in accordance with World Trade Organization Agreements and other instruments of international law.

The Council will:

ask the newly established Working Group on the Precautionary Approach to consider specifically the risks and conservation benefits from transgenic salmon as part of its response on introductions and transfers.

These Guidelines for Action on Transgenic Salmon were adopted by the council at its Fourteenth Annual Meeting in June 1997.