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The
National Research Council of
Thailand is launching research projects to
improve farming and marketing of black tiger shrimp to
eliminate the problem of chemical agent residues.
The detection of residues in
shrimp resulted in shipments being rejected by the
European Union. (See
FIS
World News, 21 March,
8 April and
18 June.) |
Four studies, expected to
produce results in a year, will look into farming
technologies.
(Photo:T Engo) |
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Four studies, expected to
produce results in a year, will look into farming
technologies, detectors to identify residues,
closed-system shrimp farming, and consumer behaviour. A
database will then be developed to store the findings,
council member Peerasak Chantaraprateep told the
Bangkok Post.
Dhammarong Prakobboon,
director-general of the
Fisheries Department,
said research into closed-system farming would solve the
problem of waste water being discharged into public
waterways and harming the environment. Wastewater would
be treated and recycled.
The council also plans to
carry out research to solve long-term problems such as
shrimp diseases and the environmental impact of farming.
Prime Minister's Office
Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said the research would help
keep away shrimp diseases and environmental illnesses.
“Merely detecting for
substances in the shrimp and, if they are found,
cancelling exports, is an end-of-pipe solution; it's
useless,” said Mr Suwat, who oversees the research
council.
The government spent more
than BHT 100 million buying six detectors after the EU
imposed a ban on Thai shrimp in March for containing an
antibacterial and carcinogenic agent, nitrofurazone.
While the devices can
detect even a subtle amount of antimicrobial substances
in line with the EU standards, Mr Suwat said the
technology was still being tested to ensure it was up to
international standards. |
