BAN TILAPIA FISH IMPORTS, CHIENGI MP TELLS STATE

By KALOBWE BWALYA GOVERNMENT should ban the importation of Tilapia fish from China because it was not safe for human consumption due to long hours in transit, says Forum for Democracy and Development Chiengi Member of Parliament Given Katuta.

But Livestock and Fisheries Minister Michael Katambo said the country was still facing fish deficit, but Government was working hard to ensure that the aquaculture development funds is utilised to address the problem.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday during the 2018 National Budget debate, Ms Katuka said there was no need of Government continuing importing fish when it had other means of growing fish, therefore there was need to introduce or train people into Aquaculture farming instead of people eating imported fish.

“Zambia has potential to grow Tilapia fish because it has enough water across the country. I see no need why Government should start bringing investors just to grow cassava

Ms Katuta or sugar cane which the local facing fish deficit, now we are people can do especially youths able to beat the deficit because from Chiengi and I’m wondering so far out of 80, 000 metric why Zambia National Service tonnes of fish we have cut off was not regrouping the 20,000 tonnes of fish and I youths and train them in agriculture,” believe we have a capacity to said Ms Katuta. manage grow the fish,” said Mr

Meanwhile, Mr Katambo Katambo. Mr Katambo however said the country had a fish deficit bemoaned poor fishing of 80, 000, metric tonnes methods that are being used but to date the country has such as use of mosquito nets, managed to grow 60, 000 metric poisonous substances and bad tonnes of fish. gear use which has contributed

Mr Katambo said government to the fish deficit. is targeting 12,000 women He said his ministry has and youths entrepreneurs since continued working with from Aquaculture development some chiefdoms to sensitise funds. “Yes, Government is importing the people on the need to preserve various types of fish the fish by using recommended from China because it is still fishing methods.