Amid Tilapia lake virus alert, Togo bans the species import

Agriculture
Tuesday, 17 April 2018 16:39
Amid Tilapia lake virus alert, Togo bans the species import

(Togo First) - After DRC, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso recently, Togo just banned “temporarily” import, sale and exposition of tilapia.

In a decree issued by the ministries of trade and fisheries, Togolese authorities explained that the measure comes after FAO alerted about the tilapia lake virus which affects these fishes.

The ban in most other African nations is mainly on tilapia coming from Egypt, Israel, Thailand, Ecuador and Columbia. However, Togo opted for more caution by imposing a full ban.

Now, Lomé will improve its goods control, monitoring and surveillance which fall under the responsibility of the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and husbandry, as well as other services operating at borders. These services will cease and destroy all kinds of tilapia, wild or bred, and its derivatives. All those infringing the ban will be sued and sanctioned.

The ministries of Trade and Fisheries however emphasized that tilapia, fished or bred in Togolese waters, can be consumed without any risk.

Besides tilapia, all other fishery products and their derivatives can be imported in the country, provided that their origin can be proven and they have a certification from an official veterinary in the country of origin.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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