Pew Environment Group to Join Organizations Worldwide in Exposing Problems Posed by Current Salmon Aquaculture Practices

Public Health, Conservation Advocates to Urge Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to Implement Comprehensive Testing Procedures for Farmed Salmon

UPDATE: Download an MP3 of the press call!

On Thursday, October 23 at 11 a.m. EDT, the Pew Environment Group will host a tele-press call to reveal persistent environmental and public health issues related to farmed salmon. Speakers on this call will explain how current aquaculture industry practices impact ocean ecosystems, particularly in Chile. They will discuss public health and consumer issues related to farmed salmon while also urging the FDA to create a comprehensive approach toward testing for toxins in imported seafood, specifically farmed salmon from Chile. Groups in Chile, Canada and Europe will be hosting similar events that call upon industry leaders to adopt more sustainable salmon farming practices.

WHO:

• William Hubbard – former associate commissioner for policy and planning, FDA
• Barton Seaver – chef/advocate (formerly of Tackle Box and Hook)
• Michael Hirschfield – chief scientist and senior vice president for North America, Oceana
• Urvashi Rangan – Ph.D, senior scientist and policy analyst, Consumers Union
• Gerald Leape – senior officer, Pew Environment Group (moderator)

WHAT:
-press conference call to discuss the primary environmental and consumer issues associated with farmed salmon and to call upon the FDA to implement a more thorough testing process to identify toxic chemicals in imported farmed fish.

WHEN:
Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 11 a.m. EDT

CALL INFO:
Password for all calls – SALMON

United States - 800.311.9405
Canada – 888.259.2914
Chile – 123.002.034.17
Germany – 080.018.245.08
Norway – 800.117.34
Scotland – 080.009.235.82

CONTACT:

This call is for credentialed press only. The call will be recorded and posted as an mp3 to www.farmedsalmonexposed.org approximately three hours after the call ends.

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