May 23, 2008

Canadian province to develop DNA traceability in farmed salmon

A new DNA traceability system is being developed in New Brunswick to bring a DNA traceability system for salmon produced in the province.

The development of the project is currently being undertaken by the province's Research and Productivity Council (RPC) in Fredericton in conjunction with Cooke Aquaculture Ltd. The project is one of the six federal government-financed projects in the province that received a total of CAN$12.6 million in funding.

The money is part of the Atlantic Innovation Fund, which would see to the distribution of up to CAN$63 million given to various public and private research facilities in the region over the next decade.

The new system being developed by the Research and Productivity Council would track individual Atlantic salmon from "farm-to-fork", thus enhancing food safety.

The project is expected to cost CAN$2.8 million, with CAN$1.9 million coming from the AIF and the balance from private and public sector sources over the next four years.

Dr Rachael Ritchie, head of RPC's Food, Fisheries & Aquaculture Department said DNA traceability will allow tracking of individual fish and verification of its larger animal lot tracking system.

The department is currently working with Cooke Aquaculture Ltd to determine the unique 'DNA barcode' for each fish.

(US$1=CAN$0.98)