Chile's antibiotic use on salmon under scrutiny again

Chile used nearly 350 times more antibiotics in its farmed salmon in 2008 than Norway, its chief competitor and the largest salmon producer in the world, according to official data from both countries.

Chile's Economy Ministry revealed this month that Chile used nearly 718,000 pounds of antibiotics in 2008 and more than 850,000 pounds in 2007, TheNewYorkTimes reported.

In comparison, Norway used 2,075 pounds in 2008, and the 2007 figures meant that Chile's antibiotic use that year exceeded that of Norway's by nearly 600 times.

TheNewYorkTimes said the ministry had revealed the figures in response to a request for information by the environmental group Oceana under Chile's new information access law.

It was the first the Chileangovernment had released such figures publicly, environmental groups said.

The ministry's numbers confirm that the Chilean salmon industry has abused the use of antibiotics, said Alex Munoz, Oceana's vice president for South America.

Chile's excessive use of antibiotics in salmon production has long been criticised, while the government has taken steps to reduce antibiotic use in aquaculture.