After much hue and cry the Canadian federal government officially took regulatory control of the Pacific aquaculture industry this week. British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association said that this could bring a lot of changes in the regulations and they are ready to face it.
Mary Ellen Walling, executive director of the BCSFA, said that there has been an incredible amount of work invested to ensure that these are strong reg ulations which meet the needs of all stakeholders. In February of 2009, the BC Supreme Court ruled that aquaculture should be under federal regulatory control and, following an extension in early 2010, the official transfer date was set for December 18, 2010.
As per BC’s salmon farmers the new regime will help to streamline the regulatory process, while addressing any questions from the public. The farmers said that it is important that the best policies be in place to protect the environment, stimulate local communities and give business security and clear guidelines into the future. Walling told that the industry has become the strong presence it is today because of the hard work of farmers, government and other stakeholders.
