The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Japan rejects shrimp consignment

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 06, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Japan rejects shrimp consignment

Santosh Patnaik

Sample tests confirm antibiotic residual

VISAKHAPATNAM: Even before the celebrations died down over decision of the US International Trade Commission for `changed circumstances review' for withdrawing anti-dumping duty in view of tsunami damage, the Indian shrimp exporters have received a severe jolt from Japan.

The news of rejection of some consignments from India by Japan after sample tests confirming antibiotic residual has come as a bolt from the blue. The shrimp consignments from India, China, Vietnam and a few other countries were subjected to tests after finding antibiotic residual content in an egg powder consignment.

Incidentally, this is the first time that the Indian exporters faced rejection of their shipments from Japan. For the first time, the European Union (EU) had imposed a ban on import of shrimp from India. Later, on the intervention of Government of India, exports to EU could be restored with the undertaking that steps would be initiated for pre-shipment testing on antibiotic residual content.

Industry sources told The Hindu that residue could be found in the end-product even due to bad hatchery management practices or use of disease-prone seeds by the farmers or use of excessive antibiotics by the shrimp culture units. The feed used by the farms or chemicals used by the processing plants may also lead to antibiotic residual.

Even while rising up to Euro standards, the industry received a setback from the US in the form of imposition of anti-dumping duties to protect their domestic suppliers. "Now the rejection news came at a time when we were elated at the US decision for a changed circumstances review on anti-dumping duties in the wake of heavy damage suffered by the fishing industry in India and Thailand in the aftermath of tsunami," the Marine Product Export Development Authority Vice-Chairman, K. Haribabu, said.

After the EU ban, India found a new market in the US. Consequently, exports to Japan -- which used to be the largest importer of Indian shrimp -- fell. The US became the main market mainly due to export of Individual Quick Frozen (IQF) material and adherence to strict hazard analysis procedures, Dr. Haribabu said.

Interest in scampi

Another reason for spurt in exports to the US was interest generated in scampi -- the fresh water shrimp culture.

With several adverse developments, the Union Government set up testing facility at Cochin. Laboratories at Kakinada, Nellore and Bhimavaram landing centres will be operational soon to facilitate testing of antibiotic residual content.

MPEDA and Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) are now collecting samples from all farms in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for testing antibiotic residue prior to harvest. The SEAI president, A.J. Tharakan, said they wish to assure buyers that the exporters were taking every possible measure to stop use of antibiotics in aqua units.

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