India Bans Medically Important Antimicrobials in Aquaculture to Combat AMR
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Prohibition of medically important antimicrobials in India's aquaculture sector |
| Date | May 2025 |
| Issuing Authority | Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Key Aim | Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) |
| Objectives | • Reduce antibiotic misuse in aquaculture<br>• Ensure food safety<br>• Facilitate seafood exports |
| Prohibited Substances | • Fluoroquinolones, glycopeptides, nitrofurans<br>• Antibiotics, antivirals, antiprotozoals |
| Scope of Ban | Includes hatcheries, feed manufacturing, and processing units for shrimp, prawns, fish, etc. |
| Global Context | Asia-Pacific leads in antimicrobial use in aquaculture; global AMR concerns rising |
| India's Aquaculture | • Third-largest fish producer globally<br>• Seafood exports: $7.38 billion (2023-24) |
| Background | Antimicrobial use in aquaculture rose to 10,259 tonnes in 2017; projected to reach 13,600 by 2030 |
| Previous Actions | • 2002 antibiotic restrictions<br>• 2024 FSSAI ban on antibiotics in animal-derived foods |