India's marine export will be in troubled waters following strict implementation of quality norms in Australia.
In a recent move, the Animal Bio-security of Australia has issued strict guidelines for import of prawns from other nations.
The Indian marine products exporters will be practically evicted from the Australian market as adhering to the recently announced quality measures is not easy for traders in India.
In a letter to Marine Products Export Development Authority, Animal Bio-security of Australia officials said Australia revised interim measures for the import of prawns and prawn products. This was based on the Bio-security Australia Policy Memorandum and will be in place by the end of September.
According to the new rules, the prawns to be exported to Australia should be sourced from a country or zone which is recognised by that country.
Moreover, the uncooked prawns should be free from viruses such as White Spot Syndrome Virus, Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus, Yellow Head Virus and Taura Syndrome Virus.
The head and shell of the prawns should be removed before export.
The letter also asked MPEDA to provide a detailed submission regarding the adherence to the measures and information regarding the sources of prawns exported to Australia.
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The consignments will be tested for viruses on arrival in Australia and if tested negative, will either be re-exported, destroyed or kept for detailed analysis. The Australian importers have been advised to collect samples under the supervision of Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and sent them for testing before signing import contracts.
According to various exporters, such measures are aimed at safeguarding the interests of the local prawn producers under the pretext of quality. India exports shrimps and shrimp-based products worth Rs 200 crore (Rs 2 billion) to Australia annually.
Australia had earlier banned the import of raw prawns from China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.
A survey conducted by AQIS found that 31 per cent of prawns, fish, crabs and eels samples from Asian countries contained low levels of antibiotics/anti-microbial agents. The residue was not desirable although it posed no direct risk to human health.
These countries have taken up the issue with World Trade Organisation and a dispute panel will consider the matter in October.
