Tough prawn import restrictions defended

The federal government has defended its tough new quarantine measures for imported prawns.

The controversial restrictions on the importation of raw prawns have been implemented to reduce the risk of disease entering the country, maintains fisheries minister Eric Abetz.

"Imports will need to come from sources recognised by Australia as free from disease or concern, or be tested for a wide range of diseases," he said.

Imports of highly processed prawns will still be allowed – namely battered, marinated or cooked prawns.

Local prawn fishermen and farmers have welcomed the mesures, but seafood importers have accused the government of acting to protect the domestic industry, not the consumer.

"We're getting screwed politically," said Harry Peters, chairman of the Australian Seafood Importers Association.

The group's 40 members handle about 80% of seafood imports from nations including China, Thailand, Vietnam and Norway.

The importers claim that if more onerous tests for diseases that infect prawns, not people, are required, China, Vietnam and Thailand will pursue the case with the World Trade Organisation. "They've already discussed this with the WTO in Geneva last month," Peters told The Australian.

He said the new tests were unreliable and would cause safe shipments to be rejected. "No importer can afford to bear the loss of a $250,000 shipment," he said. "This is nothing but political bastardry."

"Nowhere in the world at any time in the last 100 years has a disease been transferred to living prawns by dead prawns,” he added.

But fishermen and prawn farmers have welcomed the changes. Scott Walker, head of the Australian Prawn Farmers Association, said the measures would protect the nation's $600 million prawn market.

"Government testing of imported raw prawns late last year found 100% were carrying exotic diseases," he said. "All of Australia's valued crustaceans... are susceptible to these diseases."

Queensland Seafood Industry Association president Neil Green described the measures as "vitally important" to the industry.

The revised quarantine measures are expected to be in place by September.