Lok Sabha Question No. 3576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-17
Subject: Seafood Export
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Bhavana Gawali (Patil), Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3576 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th MARCH, 2021 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17

## SEAFOOD EXPORT

## 3576 (H). SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI: SHRI SANJAY JADHAV :

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण�य  एवं  उ�ोग  मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the position of sea food products exported from India during the last three years;
- (b) whether USA is the primary destination for such exports;
- (c) if so,  whether  USA  has  imposed certain conditions on the  import of sea  food products from India and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government provided any subsidy in such exports; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  plan  of  action  to  promote  such  exports  for improving  the  economic  condition  of  the  people  living  in  coastal  areas  of  the country?

## ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) The details of seafood products exported from India during last 3 years are as follows:-

| Value (in million USD)   | Value (in million USD)   | Value (in million USD)   | Value (in million USD)   |
|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
|                          | 2017-18                  | 2018-19                  | 2019-20                  |
| USA                      | 2320.05                  | 2344.43                  | 2562.54                  |
| JAPAN                    | 445.27                   | 423.27                   | 422.24                   |
| EUROPEAN UNION           | 1116.74                  | 900.50                   | 876.47                   |
| CHINA                    | 227.39                   | 811.14                   | 1374.63                  |
| SOUTH EAST ASIA          | 2237.07                  | 1531.53                  | 705.99                   |

| MIDDLE EAST   |   290.46 |   286.30 |   297.23 |
|---------------|----------|----------|----------|
| OTHERS        |   444.57 |   431.33 |   439.6  |
| TOTAL         |  7081.55 |  6728.5  |  6678.69 |

(b) Yes Sir.

- (c) There are two major conditions imposed by USA, on the import of seafood products from all exporting countries including India:-

(i) The Section 609 of US Public Law 101-162 prohibits the importation of shrimp and products from shrimp harvested in ways that may adversely affect sea turtles unless the US  Department  of  State  certifies  to  the  US  Congress  that  the  government  of  the harvesting nation has taken measures for reducing the incidental taking of sea turtles in its shrimp trawl fisheries, comparable to that of the USA, or that the fishing environment of the harvesting nation does not pose a threat to the sea turtles.

(ii) The National Marine Fisheries Services of NOAA, USA had introduced the Marine Mammal Protection Act (Import) Rule, which mandates that nations exporting fish and fishery  products  to  the  United  States,  have  a  regulatory  program  for  reducing marine mammal bycatch that is comparable in effectiveness to measures taken by the United  States.  Accordingly,  in  order  to  evaluate  an  exporting  nation's  regulatory programs to address incidental/intentional mortality or serious injury of marine mammals and ensure continuation of seafood exports to USA, all the seafood exporting countries including India are required to furnish the complete information about their commercial fishing operations identified under MMPA Import Rule by November, 2021.

(d) & (e)   Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) had been providing financial assistance  to  the  seafood  processors/exporters  for  the  development  of  infrastructure,  value addition in exports and introduction of new technologies, aimed to bring in more investment in high end value addition, establishment of facilities to export chilled and dried marine products having  high  unit  value.  MPEDA  has  provided  financial  assistance  of  approx.  Rs.14.42  Crore during FY 2019-20.

Government of India is implementing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an envisaged investment of Rs. 20,050 Crore for development of fisheries in the country over 5 years, which would also enhance exports. PMMSY envisages a focus on species diversification, value addition, infrastructure creation,  modernization, end to end traceability  from  'catch  to consumer', brand promotion, certification etc. in close collaboration with MPEDA.  Further, promotion of good aquaculture practices, use of block chain technology, global standards and certification, accreditation of brood banks, hatcheries, farms etc. are incorporated as a part of the PMMSY scheme. These steps will ensure better quality, higher productivity, improve export competitiveness and fetch higher prices for fishers and farmers.

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