MPEDA's plan to shut testing labs irks seafood exporters

The pre-harvest testing of aquaculture products is mandatory for export to European Union countries

The plan of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) to shut down two out of three ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) screening laboratories in Odisha has irked the seafood exporters.

The pre-harvest testing of aquaculture products is mandatory for export to European Union (EU) countries. MPEDA had set up three ELISA screening laboratories at Dhamra, Balasore and Bhubaneswar to conduct the pre-harvest testing or screening of the aquaculture products (shrimp or fish) to detect the presence of antibiotics residues like Chloramphenicol and Nitrofuran metabolites before the produce is harvested.

"Keeping in mind the geographical locations of shrimp farming and farmers, MPEDA had established three pre-harvest testing labs at Dhamra, Balasore and Bhubaneswar in 2011 and 2012. MPEDA's plan to shut down these labs at Bhubaneswar and Dhamra is anti export policy", said G Mohanty, former president, Sea Food Exporters Association of India- Odisha region.

It is a serious impediment to the state's plan of growth of the sector, he added.

The Odisha government has set a target to step up seafood exports to Rs 10,000 crore by 2020.

Odisha exports about 11 per cent of sea food to EU countries and stands third in market wise export after Japan (39 per cent) and United States (US) with 28 per cent.

Worried with the MPEDA's decision, the Sea Food Exporter's Association of India- Odisha region, recently, has written to MPEDA, requesting not to shut down the labs pivotal for farmers of the state.

"Recently, we have written to commerce ministry and MPEDA requesting not to close the labs for the greater cause of the sea food farmers of the state. MPEDA has informed us that they are reconsidering their decision", said Ajay Dash, president, Sea Food Exporters Association of India- Odisha region.

At least, the lab in Bhubaneswar should not be closed as it serves the purpose of farmers in the districts of Jagatsingpur, Ganjam and Kendrapada, he added.