Aqua farmers warned against use of antibiotics

Vijayawada: Minister for marketing and animal husbandry C Adinarayana Reddy warned of stringent action against the users of antibiotics in aqua culture.

Reviewing aqua culture activities with the officials and the farmers associations at Velagapudi on Wednesday, the minister asked them to issue licences registering aqua forms officially. 

He said the government would construct five fishing harbours at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore in the state. Already, the works were going on at Antarvedi, he said. 

The state enjoys top position in aqua culture by exporting prawns worth Rs 20,000 crore  and the fish worth Rs 40,000 crore to various countries. The state government has the responsibility to ensure quality of aqua products while exporting, he said.

All the fish tanks should be registered, he said, and asked the officials to take action against illegal aqua cultivation anywhere in the state. 
He directed the fisheries officials to set up a joint committee with marine export authority. 

On the occasion, the representatives of farmers said that Ecuador in South America has been cultivating fish for quite some time without using 
antibiotics. 

They asked the government to explore the possibilities to get support from Ecuador. The minister said the government was finalising an action plan to completely eradicate using of antibiotics in aqua culture.

The government would also start test labs to check use of anti-biotics and drug control department staff would be given training in this regard, he said.

Fisheries department commissioner Ramshankar Naik, additional commissioner Sitaramaraju, All India Royyala Samakhya president Prasada Mohanaraju, general secretary Balasubramanyam and several officials were also present.