Question : ANTIBIOTIC MEDICINES USED BY FISHERMEN

(a) whether fishermen are using antibiotics to keep their fish export consignment healthy;

(b) if so, whether this has resulted in rejection and banning of Indian fish product exported to Europe, USA, Japan;

(c) whether this has caused pecuniary loss to the Indian exporters of fish and revenue loss to the Government;

(d) whether the Government propose to set up international level of fish processing units so that Indian fish products compete at the world market; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)

(a): There were instance of antibiotic usage by shrimp farmers to counter disease incidence in aqua farms until a campaign against the abuse of antibiotics was taken up by various organisations.
(b)&(c): Exporters have faced problem due to antibiotic residue issues as the European Union has put on red alert the Indian products, i.e., 100% testing of every consignment for the presence of banned antibiotics which has resulted in rejection of some consignments. No estimation on the loss of revenue on account of such rejections is available.
(d)&(e): The Marine Products Export Development Authority(MPEDA) has already taken necessary steps to upgrade the processing facilities in the country to meet the stringent quality control measures and to conform to international standards and norms.