The measures include a nationwide inspection on the use of drugs, a blacklist of violators and better education and training of farmers, Chen Yide, vice-director of the ministry's fisheries bureau, told China Daily in an interview.
He acknowledged that despite the progress made in the past few years, drug residues are still found in some aquatic products from a very small number of unscrupulous farms which are driven by profits.
"Therefore, further efforts are needed to eradicate the problem, especially the residue of antibiotics," he said.
Chen revealed that efforts would be made in the following fields:
Launch an inspection to crack down on the illegal use of forbidden drugs and chemicals in fish farms, and to check licenses of the farms.
- Launch an inspection to crack down on the illegal use of forbidden drugs and chemicals in fish farms, and to check licenses of the farms.
- Establish a database of violators and place them under close watch.
- Speed up research on new drugs and vaccines.
- Give farmers proper training and keep them informed of relevant standards.
- Bring China's drug residue measurement up to international standards. >
In response to a recent US ban on five types of seafood products from China for allegedly containing illegal drug residues, Chen said the move was unfair and unscientific.
"It's against the rules of the World Trade Organization to block all products for problems found in individual products," he said, adding that the great majority of fishery products from China are up to the standard.
Source: China Daily