Philippines suspends live shrimp imports

 Economy
Apr 302013
 

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – The Philippine government today suspended the import of all live shrimps and susceptible crustaceans to prevent the entry and spread of shrimp diseases such as Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) in the country.

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) said it issued the suspension on the recommendation of shrimp disease expert Dr. Donald Lightner and after local shrimp operators expressed concern over the possible entry of infected shrimps from heavily-affected countries

The DA said the Philippines remains free from EMS, a disease characterized by massive mortalities during the first 30 days. Infected shrimp samples show slow growth, corkscrew swimming, and pale coloration.  

The government said it will closely monitor airports and seaports to ensure that infected shrimps from heavily-affected countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia will not enter the country.

Unknown disease prompts BFAR to ban shrimp imports

 Economy
Apr 302013
 
Unknown disease prompts BFAR to ban shrimp imports

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources indefinitely suspended the importation of live shrimp and crustaceans to prevent an unknown disease from spreading in Philippine waters. “We are dealing with a disease unknown to us, all the more that measures must be undertaken,” BFAR Director Asis G. Perez said last week in a shrimp industry meeting with the operators and importers. The state agency instructed its Fish Health Officers, Quarantine Officers and the Law Enforcement Quick Response Team to implement monitoring, control and surveillance protocols at the ports of entry, airports and seaports in the country.  BFAR said the measure is meant to prevent the spread Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), characterized by massive shrimp deaths during the first 30 days. Infected samples exhibit slow growth, corkscrew swimming and pale color. Currently, no known pathogen has been found causing the disease, the state agency said. The order came after the recommendation of Dr. Donald Lightner, a shrimp disease expert. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The Philippines remains EMS-free as of the moment and BFAR is exhausting all efforts to remain so,” Perez said, adding that the country is well-positioned as this opens the opportunity for the Philippines to expand its shrimp exports.