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% are wild-caught marine species. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) estimates that 4000 species of tropical fish are available to UK aquarists with around 1000 species being commonly imported. Obviously, given the large numbers involved, attempts to smuggle illegal species occurs: 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 is not unexpected that at some stage a private buyer or dealer may attempt to import GM fish into Europe and the UK. 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 |