Does the FDA possess the expertise in fisheries biology, ecology and environmental science to assess the environmental risks of advanced hybrid fish?
A. The FDA staff includes specialists trained in biology, environmental science and risk assessment who have conducted hundreds of environmental impact assessments. Each assessment is based on the explicit assumption that the ultimate repository of agency-approved pharmaceuticals or food additives will be aquatic ecosystems following their production, use or disposal. NEPA and CEQ require federal agencies to cooperate with other affected agencies in the assessment of the environmental impacts of agency actions. In the case of advanced hybrid fish, FDA has engaged the cooperation of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service in the design and evaluation of the environmental risk assessment. In the specific case of advanced hybrid salmon, the two fisheries Services must also be consulted under the Endangered Species Act.
