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Ban on Shrimp/Prawn Import to be Continued
Jakarta - The ban on Vaname prawn import is to end on June 26, 2010. Domestic shrimp farms urge the government to continue the ban.
Shrimp farmers are concerned that lifting the ban will kill domestic shrimp culture. Chairman of Shrimp Club Indonesia, Iwan Sutanto, in Lampung on Monday (21/6) said allowing shrimp import will cause the price of shrimp in Indonesia to plummet and also could potentially bring shrimp diseases into the country.
“Shrimp import causes uncertainties in the shrimp culture business and hinders the national shrimp production improvement program,” said Iwan.
Since 2004 until June 26, 2010, the Indonesian government has banned the import of Vaname prawns. The measure was taken to prevent the introduction of shrimp diseases into Indonesia. But, since March 2009 shrimp production in a number of domestic production centers has decreased sharply due to disease.
In 2009, national shrimp production was only about 350,000 tons from the targeted 500,000 tons. Iwan said low production should be dealt by improving national shrimp culture, not by allowing import.
In response to the demands from shrimp farmers, the Marine and Fishery Minister, Fadel Muhammad, said Indonesia will still prohibit Vaname prawn import. This ban will be balanced by increasing domestic shrimp production. “The government will still ban Vaname shrimp import, but domestic production must be improved,” he said.
Therefore, said Fadel, this year the government has initiated the shrimp farm revitalization program in East Java and South Sulawesi. Repairing shrimp ponds is expected to boost national shrimp production.
This year the government plans to establish a fish and shrimp hospital. This hospital will be equipped with laboratory facilities. Therefore, it is expected to solve various problems of shrimp and fish diseases.
Fadel hopes farmers continue to increase their production capacity and implement good farming practices in order to suppress disease infections. (LKT)
Source : Kompas