The Hindu : Business : MPEDA to introduce pathogen-free shrimp

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Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007
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MPEDA to introduce pathogen-free shrimp

Special Correspondent

Kochi: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is developing pathogen-free shrimp at Port Blair in the Andamans in the first such project in the country. According to Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) sources here, the MPEDA aims at matching the growing demand for shrimp broodstock (adult shrimp used for breeding) for aquaculture farms across the country. With Indian shrimp exports accounting for over half of its export earnings of $1.8 billion, the MPEDA is investigating ways to prevent future consignments from being tainted with antibiotics and rejected.

Shrimp exports to the West have become a bone of contention in the wake of ‘restrictive policies’ followed by the importing countries. Hence, the MPEDA is under pressure to develop alternative routes so that shrimp farming here becomes sustainable.

Total shrimp exports from India amounted to 1,37,000 tonnes during the last fiscal with farmed shrimp accounting for over 75 per cent of the total. The remainder was accounted from wild catch. In terms of value, aquaculture comprised 84 per cent of the earnings, says a SEAI publication here.

The MPEDA hopes to supply pathogen-free shrimps by end-2009.

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