Uganda: Fish farmers want GM stocks

Published: June 13, 2008

Source : News Vision / All Africa

Commercial fish farmers want the Government to allow importation of genetically-modified (GM) tilapia stocks to counter the dwindling fish population in local waters.

Tugumisirize Digo, a fish farmer with Sunfish Farms in Wakiso, said many foreign companies had GM tilapia from Lake Victoria and were profiting from the trade.

"The Philippines are benefiting from tilapia got from Uganda, yet our government is making it difficult for us to access these technologies," Digo said.

The Philippines have branded the GM tilapia as gift fish. It grows faster, is bigger in size and contains more protein. Digo discarded fears that GM fish may undermine the market for our fish in the EU.

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