India Defends Its Shrimp Industry Against Allegations of Human Rights and Environmental Abuses

India, as the leading supplier of shrimp to the U.S., is confronting allegations made by a Chicago-based human rights group regarding human rights and environmental abuses within its shrimp industry. Officials from the Commerce Ministry are set to engage with seafood exporters to address these claims and protect India's esteemed position in the global market.

Key Points of Discussion:

• Seafood Export Figures: India's seafood exports reached $8.09 billion in 2022-23, with shrimp sales contributing $5.6 billion. The country's share in the U.S. market has impressively grown to 40%.

• Refutation of Allegations: A senior official dismissed the Corporate Accountability Lab's report as baseless, emphasizing the rigorous certification of the shrimp export value chain by the Marine Products Export Development Authority.

• Shrimp Farming in Andhra Pradesh: Approximately 70% of India's shrimp production is attributed to about a lakh farms in Andhra Pradesh, with women making up 70% of the workforce in the sector.

Strategies for Reputation Management:

• Independent Studies: The Ministry plans to recommend that exporters initiate independent studies on working conditions within shrimp farms to counteract the allegations.

• Government Involvement: The Andhra Pradesh government has been requested to investigate the claims presented in the CAL report.

Additional Information to Remember:

• This controversy arises amidst India's significant achievements in becoming a dominant shrimp supplier, particularly to the U.S. market, outpacing competitors like Thailand and China.

• Addressing these allegations promptly and effectively is crucial for maintaining India's reputation and market share in the highly competitive global seafood industry.

Keywords to Remember:

• Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL): The organization behind the report alleging human rights and environmental abuses in India's shrimp industry.

• Marine Products Export Development Authority: The certifying body for India's shrimp export value chain, ensuring compliance with international standards.

• Aquaculture Sector: The branch of agriculture focused on the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, pivotal to India's seafood exports.

Reason it's important : India rejects report on abusive conditions at shrimp hatcheries

Published in : The Hindu

Date appeared in newspaper : 04 April 2024

Link to the article (might require a paid subscription) : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2024-04-04/th_international/articleGR4CKHGDV-6349716.ece