MEPs declare war on tuna mafia

8.50.00am GMT Thu 11th Feb 2010

London Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford has backed European Parliament action in pushing for a total ban on trade in threatened blue fin tuna.

The huge Mediterranean fish, much valued by Japanese sushi eaters, is the most expensive food in the world. Individual fish can sell for more than €10,000.

But WWF, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, claims that stocks of blue fin tuna have collapsed and that the fish will become extinct if controls are not introduced urgently. Organised crime is also said to be involved in the lucrative business, flouting all EU controls on the fishery.

Sarah Ludford said:

"Unless trade is halted there will be no blue fin tuna left. It's time to protect this fish before they disappear from our seas"

"The Mafia has become involved because there is so much money to be made. So a ban - which will have to be firmly policed - will undercut these criminals too."

Ministers must now agree a European position to take at the next meeting of CITES (the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species) that takes place next month. The UK Government has already indicated that it supports a total ban.

ENDS