Figure: Genetically engineered Aquabounty salmon (back) and an Atlantic salmon of the same age (front). Photo Source: Aquabounty

AquaBounty has announced that Brazil's National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio) has approved their application for the sale of the company's genetically engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon in Brazil. With this approval, AquaBounty moves closer to realizing an exciting new market opportunity in South America.

CTNBio assessed AquaBounty's application to ensure that it met the relevant standards and regulatory requirements and concluded that the sale and consumption of AquaBounty's GE salmon is safe for the environment and human health. CTNBio's approval adds to that of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada, making AquaBounty the first and only company in the world to have its GE Atlantic salmon approved in these three major markets.

"This is another significant achievement for AquaBounty as we seek to expand our presence into new international markets," said Sylvia Wulf, Chief Executive Officer of AquaBounty. "This approval now enables us to seek production and distribution partners in Brazil, the largest and most populated country in South America with significant demand for salmon."

For more details, read AquaBounty's press release.