MPEDA opens ELISA Lab at Contai, Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal

The farmed shrimps meant for export to EU are mandated to undergo Pre Harvest Testing (PHT) in the ELISA Laboratories set up by MPEDA. The raw material is screened for the presence of banned antibiotic residues such as Nitrofurans and Chloramphenicol. MPEDA has set up 14 ELISA Laboratories for this Pre Harvest Testing certification programme in the farming clusters of coastal states right from Gujarat to West Bengal.  

Responding to the demands from the aqua farmers of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal, MPEDA has opened its 15th ELISA Laboratory at Contai today, 25th August 2021.  The laboratory is expected to cater to the antibiotic testing needs of aqua farmers in entire Purba Medinipur district.

WhatsApp Image 2021-08-25 at 17The lab was formally inaugurated by Mr. K.S. Srinivas IAS, Chairman, MPEDA, in presence of Mr. Balasubramaniam V., Secretary, Prawn Farmers Federation of India and Mr. Rajarshi Banerjee, Member, MPEDA and President, Seafood Exporters of India, West Bengal region. The function was attended by Dr. M. Karthikeyan, Director, MPEDA, Mr. K.S. Pradeep IFS, Secretary, MPEDA, Dr. Ram Mohan M.K., Joint Director (QC), MPEDA, Mr. Anil Kumar. P, Joint Director (M), MPEDA, Sri Mahesh, Deputy Director (Lab), Mr. Archiman Lahiri, Deputy Director, MPEDA, Regional Division, Kolkata, farmers, and other MPEDA officials. 

In his felicitation address, Mr. Balasubramanium V. appreciated the initiative taken by the Chairman to open an ELISA lab at Contai and told that this will help the exporters to check the quality of shrimps grown by farmers thereby reducing the antibiotic rejections instances. Mr. Rajarshi Banerjee recalled the request placed by him to Chairman, MPEDA on the need for the ELISA laboratory and said that it will go a long way in sourcing quality raw material from the region. Felicitations were also offered by Mr. K. S. Pradeep, Secretary, MPEDA. 

Chairman, MPEDA while inaugurating the ELISA Screening Lab and emphasized the importance of Purba Medinipur district in shrimp farming, and on the need to contain the detection of antibiotic residues in farmed shrimp consignments in markets such as EU, USA and Japan for enhancing our market share by ensuring the quality. He urged the farmers to utilize the laboratory services at its maximum so that they will get a better sales value by ensuring the quality and traceability of the produce.  Chairman, MPEDA also expressed delight over the positive approach expressed by famers of the district in getting their farms enrolled under MPEDA.

Earlier, Dr. M. Karthikeyan delivered the introductory remarks and welcomed the participants, which was followed by a video footage of laboratory facilities. Mr. Archiman Lahiri gave a brief presentation on the fisheries profile of the Purba Medinipur district and also proposed the vote of thanks.