Voicing concerns over the recent suspension of all new and existing approvals for the import of post-larvae for vannamei shrimp farming, the country's shrimp and fish exporters have urged the government to withdraw the decision.
Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association (BFFEA) in a statement termed the decision 'suicidal' and alleged that such suspension is an ominous move to discourage and halt vannamei cultivation at a time when the country is close to get benefits out of its commercial cultivation.
"The suspension is not only detrimental, but also puts billions of taka investment made by taking loans at risk," the BFFEA said in its statement on Monday.
On January 07, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at a meeting headed by fisheries adviser Farida Akhter decided to suspend new and existing approvals for the import of fries for shrimp farming in a bid to increase production of indigenous shrimp species such as bagda (black tiger) and galda (prawn) in the country.
Alleging that the fisheries ministry has taken the decision without any prior consultation with the relevant stakeholders, the BFFEA said such suspension would severely affect the country's frozen shrimp and fish export-oriented sector.
"The decision, in particular, will cause severe uncertainty and financial loss to farms and entrepreneurs who have already started or are preparing to start cultivation relying on approved imports of fries," the BFFEA said in its statement.
It further said suspension of previous approvals is not fair and it is also against policy continuity.
Due to lack of raw materials, only 12 per cent of the factory capacities are being used, it said.
In 2023, the government allowed commercial cultivation of vannamei after successful implementation of the pilot project under the supervision of the Department of Fisheries following a long demand from the BFFEA, it mentioned.
About 80 per cent of the global shrimp demands are met by vannamei and Bangladesh has little share in the US$72-billion world vannamei market.
The BFFEA said if there is any risk of disease or environmental issues, they should be resolved scientifically and transparently through discussions with stakeholders.
Suspending approvals without any alternative measures or roadmap will harm the entire industry, it said.
The arguments that have been put forward for 20 years, such as the risk of disease transmission, environmental pollution and adverse effects on native species due to imports, are a hasty move and an obstacle to the expansion of local shrimp farming.
Munni_fe@yahoo.com
