The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an order dated May 1, 2025, imposing stricter regulations on the use of antimicrobial substances in the aquaculture industry. This order seeks to enhance the quality and safety of its seafood exports.
The order introduces key amendments to the existing export quality control framework, directly addressing concerns about antimicrobial resistance and consumer health. Therefore, the Central Government has explicitly prohibited the use of any antimicrobial medicinal product aimed at promoting growth or increasing yield in fish and fishery products intended for export.
Furthermore, the order introduces a comprehensive ban on the use of a wide range of specific antimicrobials and groups of antimicrobials at all stages of the shrimp, prawn, and other fish and fishery product supply chain destined for export. This prohibition extends to hatcheries producing juvenile fish, feed manufacturing units, and pre-processing and processing facilities.
What Are The Newly Prohibited Substances?
- Antibiotics
A broad spectrum of antibiotics, including Carboxypenicillins, Ureidopenicillins, advanced generation Cephalosporins (Ceftobiprole, Ceftaroline, Siderophore cephalosporins, and combinations with beta-lactamase inhibitors), Carbapenems, Penems, Monobactams, Phosphonic acid derivatives, Glycopeptides, Lipopeptides, Oxazolidinones, and several newer generation antibiotics like Fidaxomicin, Plazomicin, Glycylcyclines (Eravacycline, Omadacycline), and others.
2. Antivirals:
A list of antiviral drugs such as Amantadine, Baloxavir marboxil, Celgosivir, Favipiravir, Galidesivir, Lactimidomycin, Laninamivir, Methisazone/metisazone, Molnupiravir, Nitazoxanide, Oseltamivir, Peramivir, Ribavirin, Rimantadine, Tizoxanide, Triazavirin, Umifenovir, and Zanamivir.
3. Antiprotozoals:
Specifically, Nitazoxanide is also prohibited.
Why Has The Ban Been Placed?
The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in aquaculture has been a growing global concern due to its potential contribution to antimicrobial resistance, which poses a significant threat to public health. Residues of these substances in exported seafood can also lead to import rejections and damage India’s reputation as a reliable supplier.
The order, effective immediately, is expected to have a significant impact on the aquaculture industry, requiring producers and processors to adopt more sustainable and responsible farming practices. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has made it clear that strict adherence to these new regulations will be enforced through the existing export inspection mechanisms.
