The University of Guelph (UoG) recently received Environment Canada approval to allow the Enviropig® to be produced using approved containment procedures in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
UoG has been producing Enviropigs since 1999 for scientific research but is now one step closer to having transgenic (genetically modified) pigs in the human food supply. According to information at their website, the UoG are looking for licensee and commercial partners.
The UoG has patents in China and the US, where over 820 million pigs are produced each year. The patent refers to the Enviropig which is the first transgenic animal created to solve an environmental problem. The problem is the vast quantity of phosphorus in the pig manure that pollutes land, groundwater, river, lake and oceans.
“This has been a transparent process. The university researchers involved in this project are very driven and passionate about addressing an important environmental problem while increasing options that might be useful for adoption by industry in many parts of the world,” explains Steven Liss, associate vice-president (research services).
The high phosphorus levels in the manure lead to algal blooms in water and severely reduced oxygen levels, giving rise to dead zones in oceans and lakes. To mitigate this pollution, the genetically modified pigs produce extra phytase in their saliva that helps break down the indigestible phytate (phosphorus) in the corn feed, reducing the amount of artificial phytase farmers add to the animal feed. Scientific studies confirmed phosphorus levels that are 30-65% lower than those of regular pig manure.
According to the UoG, there is also a reduction in feed costs, increased profitability for producers, no impact on the carcass or nutritional qualities of pork. The genetic modification has continued through seven generations of breeding and is under evaluation by the FDA for USA regulatory approval.
Visit: http://www.uoguelph.ca/enviropig/
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