Nuseed Nutritional, a subsidiary of Nufarm, has secured approval from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) for Aquaterra Omega-3 oil for use in fish feed applications. This makes it the first biotech product authorized by NFSA for use in Norway under the food law.
The evaluation concludes that "the requirement that the feed must be safe and not be harmful to human or animal health, or render animal feed unfit for human consumption, is met. In addition, we consider that the requirement that the feed must not have adverse effects on the environment has also been met."
The trend in Norway has always been to minimize the use of GMOs in the country, even going as far as food labeling if it exceeds 0.9%.
Until now, the omega-3 oil utilized in Norway has been derived from natural sources, such as fisheries or fish by-products. However, this approval marks a significant shift. Greg Hunt, CEO of Nufarm, stated that currently, wild-caught fish are the primary source of these nutrients, but growing demand and the impact of climate change pose a threat to the stability of the supply chain. Therefore, this option presents a new opportunity.
In Norway, salmon farming faces limitations due to the restricted supply of fish oil. Omega-3 oils are crucial for the health and well-being of farmed salmon, but the scarcity of fish oil hampers industry growth. However, a breakthrough comes in the form of Nuseed Omega-3 Canola, where just one or two hectares of cultivation can yield the same amount of DHA as 10,000 kilograms of wild fish. This biotech product has the potential to double the global supply of these essential nutrients using less than 5% of the current canola production land.
"Norway has always been a target market for Aquaterra Omega-3 oil, and we are excited about the positive contribution we can make to the industry," said Benita Boettner, Global General Manager of Nuseed Nutritional. "Aquaculture produces more than half of the fish people eat today. Advancing the seafood industry is essential because farmed fish are less resource intensive, with a lower-carbon impact than many other proteins. Aquaterra provides a sustainable omega-3 oil that reduces pressure on our marine resources and facilitates aquaculture's growth by closing supply gaps."