UK trade in tropical fish and recent GM fish incidents recorded in the UK:
Around 40 million tropical fish are imported into the UK each year, 90% of which are farmed freshwater species and 10% of which are wild-caught marine species.
The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) estimates that 4,000 species of tropical fish are available to UK aquarists with around 1,000 species being commonly imported.
Obviously, given the large numbers involved, attempts to smuggle illegal species occur: rare and endangered seahorses for example, were seized by Customs officials, having been sent to the UK by normal 24-hour airmail from the USA (The Independent 25 February 2006).
It was to be expected that at some stage a private buyer or dealer would attempt to import GM fish into Europe and the UK, either accidentally or maliciously. The table below provides an outline of the incidents that have occurred to date and the current situation within the UK, to the knowledge of the GM Inspectorate.
Timeline of
incidents that have occurred to date and the current UK situation |