January 15, 2007

USDA: Philippines to import Pacific white shrimps in the US

As the Philippines lifted its the six-year ban on the importation of live Pacific white shrimps (Penaeus vannamei), the Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to import its brood stocks from accredited growers in the United States as these have been proven to be resistant from pathogens.

The DA projects that the lifting of the ban would result in the doubling of local production as it is believed to grow faster than sugpo or the local black tiger prawn and requires less expensive low-protein feed. The re-entry of P. vannamei shrimps in the country was recommended by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources after a two-year intensive study on the stock.

For the full USDA report, click here