Indian marine farms and exporters have defended their products against recent claims by U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that South Asian seafood is contaminated. They asserted that Indian marine farms adhere to stringent safety standards, traceability norms, and global protocols, some of which were introduced in the last two years. The U.S. is a major importer of Indian shrimp, which accounts for 40% of U.S. domestic seafood consumption. The new 50% U.S. tariff is an additional burden on top of an existing 7% countervailing duty.
According to officials from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), the U.S. allegations are not based on facts. They highlighted mandatory measures in place, such as an antibiotic control program, “SHAPHARI” certification, and ELISA lab testing, which is based on FAO guidelines. Various institutions, including the National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) and the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA), are part of an integrated approach to quality checks. The seafood industry also has a national program to ensure compliance with the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act by promoting eco-friendly fishing gear.