Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) Members To Work With Pharmaceutical Companies In Support Of R&D

London, United Kingdom – March 16, 2017, 14:00 GMT: The aquaculture industry has made considerable progress in reducing its use of antibiotics over the past two decades; and as a global protein source, farmed salmon uses the least antibiotics of all animal proteins. Through its focus to further reduce antibiotic use, the Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) has today issued a Statement of Intent with pharmaceutical companies to demonstrate its commitment to supporting research and development (R&D) into new industry health products.

The Statement of Intent comes as a result of all GSI member companies recognizing the critical need for continued R&D, if they are to find new, and effective, tools for improved biosecurity and fish health management. In particular, the industry is clear that finding a vaccine which offers an effective solution to the continuing challenge posed by SRS in Chile is a pressing priority, and the main driver behind this announcement. Acknowledging that such R&D comes with high levels of investment, the GSI wished to formalize their commitment to supporting the pharmaceutical industries input to R&D. Within the statement, GSI members outline that where fairly priced health products are available and proved effective, they recognize it is in their interest to purchase from companies that have developed the product for a long enough time period for the inventive pharmaceutical company to recoup the costs and allow for future investments. In addition to this, GSI members also intend to support the R&D process through increasing access to company biological material, and supporting trial procedures where suitable, to ensure innovation can happen at an efficient pace, and with the most effective outcomes.

“The salmon industry faces challenges that require new and effective solutions, and success depends upon continued innovation,” said Andrés Lyon, CEO, Multiexport Foods S.A. and Co-Chair of GSI Biosecurity Taskforce. “We must support our supply chain and the work being done to help ensure the most effective and sustainable farming approaches.”

This Statement of Intent represents just one aspect of the ongoing work within the GSI’s Biosecurity Taskforce. Member companies, and pharmaceutical Associate members, are working pre-competitively to share knowledge and experiences to support the industry in overcoming biosecurity and fish health risks.

“GSI members are clearly acknowledging that our R&D efforts are worthwhile and that the companies are committed to making decisions based on a vision of long-term future sustainability,” said Jose Fernando Rodriguez, Global Technical Services Manager, Elanco Aqua Business. “Through ongoing collaboration between GSI member companies and the pharmaceutical Associate members, we have been able to identify possible barriers to industry progress, and identify ways to overcome them.”

In addition to the work being carried out in support of industry R&D, the GSI Biosecurity Taskforce members are continuing to share best practices on management of sea lice and SRS, as well as sharing knowledge on the prevention and management of algal blooms.

If you would like more information on the Statement of Intent, please contact the GSI Secretariat at GSI@axon-com.com.

ABOUT GSI

The Global Salmon Initiative (GSI) is a leadership initiative established in 2013 by global farmed salmon producers focused on making significant progress on industry sustainability. Today, GSI comprises 12 companies, representing approximately 50% of the global salmon production industry, that are fully committed to realizing a shared goal of providing a highly sustainable source of healthy food to feed a growing global population, whilst minimizing our environmental footprint, and continuing to improve our social contribution.

GSI member companies are Bakkafrost; Blumar; Cermaq; Compañía Pesquera Camanchaca; Empresas AquaChile; Grieg Seafood ASA; Huon Aquaculture, Los Fiordos; Marine Harvest; Multiexport Foods S.A.; New Zealand King Salmon and Ventisqueros. GSI companies have a presence in Australia, Canada, Chile, the Faroe Islands, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK, and make significant contributions to the economies of these respective countries.

In addition, the GSI also has a number of Associate members in both the pharmaceutical and feed industries, including Benchmark Holdings plc; BioMar; Cargill; Elanco; Merck, Sharpe and Dohme (MSD) Animal Health; PHARMAQ; Salmofood and Skretting.

Global Salmon Initiative Statement of Intent for Innovative Product

For further information on GSI, please visit or contact us at:

• Website – globalsalmoninitiative.org
• Email – GSI@axon-com.com
• Twitter – @GSI_Salmon

Media contacts:

Sophie Ryan
AXON
+ 1 604 506 8414
sryan@axon-com.com

Lucy Hagger
AXON
+ 44 (0) 20 3595 2489
lhagger@axon-com.com