Norway uses a much lower amount of antibiotics in its farmed salmon production than Chile. (Photo: Stock File/ FIS)

Salmon farmers used more than 300 tonnes of antibiotics

CHILE
Monday, July 27, 2009, 08:40 (GMT + 9)

Oceana, an international marine conservation organisation, presented a report drafted by the Ministry of the Economy that indicates the national salmon farming industry used 325.6 tonnes of antibiotics over the past year, and 385.6 tonnes in 2007.

According to the official report, florfenicol (used in 56.7 per cent of the total, or 184 tonnes) and flumequine (in 9.9 per cent, or 32.2 tonnes) were the antimicrobials most used in 2008, among others.

Two years ago, florfenicol had been used in 37 per cent (143 tonnes) of the stock; and oxytetracycline in 23.1 per cent (89.3 tonnes), among other antimicrobials.

The Ministry report does not detail the names of the companies that used them because it claims not to have the necessary information.

For the vice-president of Oceana South America, Alex Munoz, the number clearly demonstrates “the bad practices of the salmon farming industry.”

Although the total number of antibiotic use is within the abuse margins anticipated by the organisation, the amounts are “definitively” greater than those thought and “sufficiently scandalous to warrant that urgent measures be taken,” Munoz asserted.

Norway, the world’s leading salmon producer, used only 649 kilograms of antibiotics – 600 times fewer that used by Chile.

On the issue, the minister of the Economy, Hugo Lavados, indicated that the comparisons between the Chilean industry and Norwegian are not fair because they have different forms of production.

One of the goals of the new General Fisheries and Aquaculture Law (LGPA), now in debate in the Senate, “is to determine the highest production standards for the industry,” indicated the official.

In addition, he clarified that antibiotic use is not a health risk, since “companies do not medicate fish in the period before commercialising their products, and do not reach the consumer,” Diario Financiero reports.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveals that the majority of antibiotics that belong to the quinolone family are banned for their negative effects on human health when used in excess.

Related articles:

- Report on salmon antibiotics advocates reasonable use
- Plan to limit antibiotics use in salmon industry underway

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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