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operators to diligently work towards protecting the environment from
degradation and ensure health and labour issues for sustainable growth
and continued shrimp exports. "We have attached importance to growth
of the fisheries sector in our election manifesto. At the same time,
protecting the environment is also a priority for us. We have to do
farming, but not at the cost of the environment," said Commerce
Minister Faruk Khan. "We cannot destroy our canals and river systems
in coastal areas in the name of shrimp farming. You should try to
ensure that the environment is protected," he told industry operators
at the opening of a two-day workshop -- Shrimp Export from
Bangladesh: Prospects and Challenges -- at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.
Fishery Products and Business Promotion Council, Bangladesh Shrimp and
Fish Foundation and Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association
organised the event in collaboration with the commerce and fisheries
and livestock ministries. The programme was organised at a time when
freshwater prawn exports from Bangladesh endured a six-month
'voluntary ban' after cancellation of about 50 consignments to
Europe, due to a health hazardous nitrofuran contamination.
Stakeholders said the voluntary ban, which was imposed in May, was to
allow the industry to detect the source of the contamination. The ban
will expire in November. Khan expects the problem will be solved by
year-end. According to the industry people, fresh water shrimps
account for over 20 percent of total annual export earnings worth
more than $400 million from the frozen food sector. Shrimp exports
to the European and US markets account for remaining earnings. Khan
said the ban affected export earnings. " Necessary steps have been
taken to remove the problem. By December, we should have a
solution," he said, adding that testing facilities for uncontaminated
shrimp exports are being expanded. "The government is trying to do
its best and will do everything to see the sector flourish, provided
environment and compliance issues are addressed properly," said the
commerce minister. US Ambassador James F Moriarty said the shrimp
industry is now the second largest export earner of Bangladesh and
provides hundreds of thousands of jobs. "This is not a small
achievement and it is difficult to overstate the importance of the
sector, both locally and nationally," he said, expecting the sector
to continue growth in the coming years. "Growth should however not
come at the expense of environmental degradation. Following
environmentally safe shrimp industry practices, with an eye towards
sustainability, is critical for the industry," said Moriarty. "The
environment should be seriously considered and protected, as
businesses and the government work to develop the shrimp industry."
He also suggested producers adhere to international standards,
particularly in regard to health, environment and labour standards.
"The good news is, meeting with health, safety and environmental
standards will ensure increased demand for Bangladeshi shrimp," he
said. Stefan Frowein, head of European Commission Delegation to
Bangladesh, stressed the need for producing safe shrimps to ensure
entry into the European market. "We seek guarantees that products are
hygienic and safe for consumption. Whenever we have concerns, it is
because of the legitimate expectation of our consumers to have safe
food. "
