Could GM Salmon be the first Animal Commercialized for Human Consumption?</

Apr 24, 2013

GM Salmon Expected to Receive U.S. FDA Approval

A company that has developed genetically engineered salmon – AquaBounty Technology Inc. is expecting regulatory approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this year.

The FDA said that the public comment period will close on Friday [April 26th], once the comments are in - it is expected to take 30 to 60 days to review the comments. It could take another 120 days upon review for the FDA to release its decision to either approve or deny the application.

The salmon eggs are engineered to grow fish to market size in half the time of conventional salmon. If approved, GM salmon will be the first animal commercialized for human consumption. Some consumer advocacy groups say that if the application is approved it could destroy the natural salmon population and could pose health risks to humans who eat it.

The approval not only has implications for the U.S., but has a Canadian twist as well. One of the company’s facilities is located in Bay Fortune, P.E.I. Groups who are opposed to the fast-growing salmon have met with P.E.I. politicians urging them to write the FDA to study the impacts of allowing these fish to be farmed.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.