PUTRAJAYA: No traces of prohibited antibiotics were detected in the 2,466 samples of local shrimps that were sent for analysis at the Fisheries Biosecurity laboratory since 2008, according to the Fisheries Department. It only applies to shrimp exporters whose shipments were found tainted with the prohibited antibiotics. The statement was issued following a report by a local newspaper that the ban on the export of Malaysian shrimps imposed by USFDA was due to the use of prohibited antibiotics at shrimp farms in the country. The Fisheries Department said it viewed the report as serious because such news could give a negative perception of the shrimp industry in Malaysia. “The industry, involving 1,200 shrimp farmers, 40 shrimp hatcheries and 15 processing plants, contributes about RM1.3 billion or 45 per cent of the total fisheries exports," said the department.

Source: New Strait Times January 04, 2020 12:11 UTC