November 23, 2007

Indian exporters threaten to stop sourcing shrimp from farms

Indian exporters threatened to stop sourcing shrimp from aquaculture farms after the government tried to clamp shipping of shrimp with antibiotics residue.

Exporters explained that it was aquaculture farmers, and not processors or exporters who were to blame for antibiotic residues in shrimp.

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) notified six major exporters that the authority would withdraw their registration and export licences should antibiotic residues be found on their next shipment.

This came after EU rejected Indian shipments of shrimp due to antibiotic residues found.

The companies are Devi Fisheries Ltd, Devi Seafoods Ltd, Wellcome Fisheries Ltd, Surya Mitra Eximps Pvt. Ltd, Satya Sea Foods Ltd and Jagadeesh Marine Exports.

According to MPEDA, the use of antibiotics does not just result in a loss for exporters--it also damages image of the country.