India on EU list for aquaculture exports

PTI New Delhi

India has been included in the European Union’s (EU) revised draft list for continued export of aquaculture products to the 27-nation bloc, a move expected to ensure uninterrupted shipments beyond September this year, an official statement said on Thursday.

The EU published the revised draft list on May 12 after India undertook compliance measures in line with the European Commission Delegated Regulation. This regulation requires exporting countries to ensure that animals and animal products exported to the EU are free from the use of antimicrobial medicines. Earlier, India was omitted from the implementing regulation issued on Oct 4, 2024, which had not included the country among third nations authorised to export products of animal origin intended for human consumption to the EU from September 2026.

"India's proposed inclusion is a major positive development for the country's seafood export sector and reflects the EU's confidence in India's regulatory systems, residue monitoring mechanisms and food safety standards. Once formally adopted by the European Commission, the revised regulation is expected to ensure uninterrupted export of Indian aquaculture products to the EU market beyond September 2026," the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday. The European Commission, in a communication dated May 12, stated that the updated list includes countries that have demonstrated compliance with EU restrictions on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals and have provided the necessary guarantees and assurances under EU regulations.