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KOCHI, Sept. 27

THE Seafood Exporters' Association of India (SEAI) said on Friday that henceforth all raw material purchase of cultured shrimps will be effected from the farmers only if it is accompanied by a certificate (as required by the importing countries) of non-usage of antibiotics and antibiotic free product from MPEDA/EIA/CIFT or any other Government-approved laboratory.

A delegation of seafood exporters had met with the Commerce Ministry officials on September 25 and 26 in New Delhi to workout a solution on the issue of the banned drug residues found in seafood.

Speaking to Business Line Mr Elias Sait, the All-India President of SEAI, said the EU represented an important market and as such all efforts are being made to resolve the current imbroglio amicably.

``The suspension of production does not serve any purpose. We intend to hold a dialogue with the European Commission with a very senior level team comprising Commerce Ministry officials, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and other members to explain the measures effected and under implementation on controlling antibiotics usage,'' Mr Sait said.

According to him, the meetings with the Commerce Ministry officials were extremely positive in tone. ``There is no question of our going on a strike,'' he explained.

SEAI also proposed that more testing facilities with appropriate trained manpower be set up to meet these requirements, both by the industry with the Government financial support and also by the Export Inspection Agency (EIA) and MPEDA.

They also called for regulation and monitoring of hatcheries and farms on prevention of usage of antibiotics be strengthened by MPEDA and other Government agencies.

According to Mr Sait, hiccups in the overseas markets are nothing new. ``Problems are bound to be there in business, which in the past have been dealt with in an objective manner. The objective of the Government and the trade is one and the same i.e. to earn forex and to earn it with dignity and commitment,'' he said.

Currently, India's exports to the EU amount to around 20 per cent of the total seafood exported. ``While so far only 0.15 per cent of Indian exports to the EU have faced rejection, our endeavour is to negate even this small percentage,'' he added.

The Export Inspection Agency (EIA) had issued a directive early this week calling for immediate stoppage of production and export in five major value-added seafood units. 17 other large seafood units across the country were place on `compulsory consignment inspection' of goods before export.

Mr Sait said the Commerce Ministry was being pursued to drop the suspension with immediate effect. ``The suspension will not only put these units to a great loss but will also have a serious impact on the industry for non-delivery of contracts of these companies,'' he said in a official release.

The suspension also will in no way help address the issue raised by the European Union, which emphasises on corrective measures being taken with regard to the antibiotics hazard.

Discussions held with the industry included focus on the round level scenario, on control and non-usage of antibiotics at the aquaculture farms, hatcheries and also on restriction on supplies from drug manufacturers to aquafarms.

Stress was also given on improving facilities at the fish landing centres and jetties farm areas, pre-processing areas etc that is beyond the control of the trade. ``Movement has not been in keeping pace with the requirements of the international hygiene requirements as co-ordination between various departments takes time, despite the efforts of the Commerce Ministry,'' a SEAI release added.

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