Protecting shrimp export

INDIA - Reports on the use of anti-biotics in shrimp hatcheries appear frequently in the press. The ultimate consumers of shrimp at home and abroad may suffer due to application of such chemicals. But the owners of hatcheries and the exporters of shrimps have reportedly kept the issue beyond review. Some chemicals are used in shrimp feed, some chemicals in shrimp and some other chemicals for their preservation in stores and during transhipment.

The demand for shrimp in the global market has recorded an uptrend. Consumers in countries in the European Union buy shrimp from Bangladesh. Quite a large amount of shrimp is exported by businessmen, who sometimes fail to take appropriate measures for the export of quality shrimp. They reportedly use chemicals for preservation of shrimp. The ultimate consumers under European Commission have complained against this.

The European Commission is reported to be planning to blacklist a number of exporters of shrimps from Bangladesh as importers reportedly detected the presence of chemicals in over 22 consignments of shrimp exported by different companies. The concern expressed by ultimate consumers has been noted by the European Commission which has informed the Bangladesh Ambassador in Belgium and the Ministry of Commerce of the matter.

The demand for corrective measures made by the European Commission should be taken duly by the government as well as producers and exporters of shrimp. Those involved in the production of shrimp in hatcheries and farms in Cox's Bazar and Khulna regions have the obligation of producing quality shrimp. They should avoid using harmful chemicals in their hatcheries, not only for keeping their products safe for consumers but also for keeping the environment around hatcheries sustainable.

Source: New Nation Online Edition