UK trade in tropical fish and recent GM fish incidents recorded in the UK:
February 2007: The GM Inspectorate (GMI) and Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) received limited information from a journalist at Practical Fishkeeping magazine suggesting a number of retailers in the UK were selling GM Zebra danios (Danio rerio). Further investigation by the GMI and the FHI failed to substantiate the journalist’s claims.
Practical Fishkeeping has however continued to liaise with the GMI over a number of articles relating to GM Zebra danios (Danio rerio) to keep its readership informed of the issue (see links below)
'Aquarium shops warned about potential GM Fish' - Matt Clarke 13/03/2007
'British aquarist bred illegal GM fish at home' - Matt Clarke 30/03/2007
'Authorities confirm GM fish report' - Matt Clarke 17/05/2007
March 2007: Following the confirmed reports from other EU MSs the GMI and FHI in collaboration with Defra’s GM unit issued a notice to all importers that GM Zebra danios (Danio rerio) were potentially in the country advising them not to import fish described as red danios/glofish until further notice.
April 2007: The FHI as part of an on-going surveillance exercise (after initially being alerted by a member of the public) obtained a sample of fish from a UK supplier marketed as ‘Coral pink danio’ on suspicion that they had been genetically modified. Initial tests carried out by the GMI confirmed the fish did fluoresce under a black light source, which is a good indicator they had been genetically modified. Further molecular based (PCR) tests carried out at the Central Science Laboratory confirmed the fish were genetically modified containing the gene coding for RFP and in some cases the gene coding for green fluorescent protein (GFP).
May 2007: The GMI and the FHI issued a second notice to importers and retailers of tropical fish, informing them of the recent findings and advising them not to import any fish meeting the description of coral pink danio or similar sounding fish, including red danio and fluorescent danio varieties.
June 2007: The GMI and FHI received information from members of the public about suspected GM fish, red danios were seized from a small number of aquatic retailers in southern England. Initial tests indicate the fish were GM. Molecular based testing (PCR) was used to confirm the siezed red danios were genetically modified and contained the genes coding for RFP and GFP.