Shrimp export resume from Bangladesh

Exports of freshwater shrimp, the country's second-biggest foreign-currency earner, to the European Union (EU) resumes tomorrow after six months' suspension since last June following a perceived act of disservice. On detection of health-hazardous antibiotic Nitrofuran in the exported shrimps in January 2009 , the importers cancelled over 50 consignments of lobsters bound for Europe. As a result, exports of the frozen shrimps had remained suspended, creating a crisis in the sector. The government decided on resumption of the exports of this important item of frozen foods after receiving the "green light" from the EU. Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters' Association sources said some consignments of shrimp were sent back from the EU after the detection of Nitrofuran in them. In this situation, the government had suspended the shrimp export to the EU for six months on request from the association to tackle the exigencies. "The move on halting exports came as a pre- emptive measure to avoid any sanctions by the EU," said an official of the association. Meanwhile, the government informed the EU that Bangladesh would resume the shrimp exports as it has taken all measures to make it Nitrofuran-free. Now, freshwater shrimps worth Tk 300 crore have been prepared here for export. Bangladesh earned Tk 414.34 crore in shrimp exports last fiscal year, with Tk 300 crore from the EU domain.