Farmed tilapia. (Photo Copyright: FIS)
Legislators urge government to promote consumption and production of tilapia
MEXICO
Saturday, January 14, 2017, 01:50 (GMT + 9)
The Standing Committee of the Congress has approved to encourage the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) to expand the dissemination of programs and actions related to the promotion, consumption and production of Mexican tilapia.
Senator Jesus Priego Calva of the PRI said that Mexico is a great producer of tilapia and has favourable conditions of reproduction, which provide high profitability to the sale of this product with high protein content. Therefore, it considered that the federal government should increase its support to producers and promote its consumption.
Mexico currently produces just over 128,000 tonnes of tilapia per year, making it the second largest producer in the world, behind Brazil.
Lawmakers explain that because of its great acceptance and demand in the country and, despite the growth of its production in recent years, Mexico does not meet its domestic demand, reason why products should be imported mainly from China and Vietnam.
Deputy Jose Luis Saenz Soto (PRI) stressed that according to CONAPESCA data, in Mexico there are 4,600 aquaculture farms with government support from both the business sector and the rural and social sector, "making it a great opportunity" for thousands of producers and families in rural areas.
Legislators recognize that the government has encouraged the cultivation of tilapia as a productive activity that generates food of high nutritional quality and significant income for the regional economies, with satisfactory results. Nevertheless, they believe that it is necessary to strengthen this productive chain, due to the socio-economic importance that it represents, especially regarding job generation.
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