Aquaculture for all

Animal Epidemic Act to be Modified to Control EMS

Crustaceans Health Biosecurity +4 more

THAILAND - The Fisheries Department is expected to modify the Animal Epidemic Act to apply similar measures to control the prolonged early mortality syndrome (EMS) outbreak at shrimp farms, says an expert.

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The Bangkok Post reports that Putth Songsangjinda, director of the Marine Shrimp Culture Research and Development Institute, said the Fisheries Department is planning to modify the act to control the EMS disease, which has spread since 2012.

"The Fisheries Department has been in talks to adapt and apply the act to better control the outbreak. However, we need to work on more details and see if we can push it through," said Mr Putth.

He said the revised law would authorise government officers to take more serious actions in dealing with shrimp farm operations to ensure they use suitable techniques to combat EMS.

The department now has a network of volunteers to monitor affected areas, examine sea shrimp diseases and address better hatchery and nursing management including raising baby shrimp.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency yesterday revealed its cooperation with Taiwanese researchers from National Cheng Kung University to use technology to examine bacteria. The technique is said to to reduce the spread of EMS and the risks of the bacteria.

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