Japan consumes almost 40% of India’s Black Tiger shrimp exports, though it enjoys niche markets in the EU and the US. (Representational image)
Japan has fully lifted inspection of Indian ‘Black Tiger’ shrimps right after export consignments of this delectable prawn assortment had been identified entirely totally free from any residue of synthetic anti-bacterial drug furazolidone, state-run Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) stated on Wednesday.
Black Tiger shrimp, frequently recognized as the giant tiger prawn or Asian Tiger shrimp, is a well-known seafood the globe more than, and types an essential segment of India’s marine goods export basket. Japan consumes almost 40% of India’s Black Tiger shrimp exports, though it enjoys niche markets in the EU and the US.
MPEDA chairman KS Srinivas stated Japan’s choice would enhance the morale of Indian seafood exporters who are battling different trade and logistic problems in the wake of the pandemic that adversely impacted the seafood markets abroad.
“MPEDA has been raising the request to exempt Black Tiger from import inspection for antibiotic residue at various platforms. The decision by Japanese authorities will further enhance farming and export of the Black Tiger variety, especially from West Bengal and Kerala,” he added.
Srinivas pointed out that MPEDA’s new Multispecies Aquaculture Complex at Vallarpadam in Kochi has been creating sustained efforts to revive production of Black Tiger shrimps by supplying healthier seeds to farmers.
The Food Inspection and Safety Division of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had earlier decreased import inspection sampling frequency for Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) to 30% from one hundred% by way of a notification issued on March 25 this year. Since there had been no detections of furazolidone in additional export consignments from India, Japan has decided to supply total relaxation in inspection of import sampling frequency in tune with Section 3, Article 26 of its Food Sanitation Act.