January 13, 2012

After Japan, the US may be the next country to do strict tests of enrofloxacin for 100% of Vietnam's shrimp exports.

The Soc Trang-based Sao Ta Food Joint Stock Company, also known as Fimex VN, has sent two petitions to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development within the last two weeks, calling for prohibiting the use of the antibiotic enrofloxacin in shrimp farming.

Chairman Ho Quoc Luc of Fimex VN said he had received an email of an American partner, saying the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) might start checking for enrofloxacin residue on shrimp imported from Vietnam.

In 2011, diseases attacked a large area of shrimp cultivation, forcing farmers to apply high dose of enrofloxacin on their products. Consequently, high residue of enrofloxacin was detected when shrimp products were exported to Japan.

Therefore, Japanese importers had to return the products and set up stricter requirements for Vietnamese shrimp.

Speaking to the Daily on the phone, Nguyen Van Nhiem, chairman of the My Thanh Shrimp Farming Association in Soc Trang, said the reputation of Soc Trang's shrimp was severely damaged since enrofloxacin was detected in almost all export shipments.

Regarding the likelihood that Vietnamese shrimp export to the US would be hindered by the antibiotic enrofloxacin, the General Directorate of Fisheries said it was compiling a document to submit to the agriculture ministry for approval.

The document putting a ban on the use of enrofloxacin in shrimp farming is expected to be issued prior to February, when the new shrimp crop begins.

Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said the document would mark a positive step for Vietnam's shrimp industry, but inspection must be rolled out to ensure the compliance.