Andhra seafood exporters body to set up testing labs

The Andhra Pradesh region of Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) is setting up 10 anti-biotic residue testing labs at an investment of Rs 2 crore across coastal districts.

The first one will come up on January 1 at Bhimavaram while the remaining will be set up by the end of March at Amalapuram, Kakinada, Nellore, Ongole, Guntur, Guduru, Chirala, UK Viswanadha Raju, president, SEAI (AP region), told Business Standard.

Local seafood exporters have taken the initiative to set up the labs to satisfy the requirement of seafood importers of European Union countries.

"Initially SEAI (AP region) will invest the entire amount of Rs 2 crore for importing Elisa kits (anti-biotic residue testing equipment) from the US. Later, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) will provide 50 per cent of the cost as subsidy," said Raju.

Since the imposition of anti-dumping duty on Indian seafood imports by the US government, exporters from the state have been heavily depending on EU markets.

Indicating the shift, about 60 per cent of state's seafood was exported to the EU market in 2005-06. During the current year, exports to EU countries are expected to touch 70 per cent as against 25-30 per cent in 2004-05, according to Raju.

However, the EU seafood importers are mercilessly rejecting any shrimp consignment found to have anti-biotic content. In 2006-07, they rejected about 20 containers of shrimp after discovering anti-biotic residue. If the situation continues, they may totally ban shrimp imports form India, and Andhra seafood exporters and aqua farmers would stand to lose heavily.

"To avoid this situation, our association is setting up the labs," he said. The equipment gives anti-biotic residue test report very quickly, he added.

"After setting up of labs, exporters will purchase shrimp from only those farmers who get a clean chit from labs. If we find the anti-biotic residue test positive, our association will alert all exporters through an e-mail and purchase of shrimp from such farmers will be banned," said Raju.

To discourage use of anti-biotic at all stages like shrimp feed manufacturing, hatcheries and aqua farming, the association is conducting awareness programmes for all industry-related people, according to him.