Aqua farmers across Kaikaluru and Kalidhindi mandals of Krishna district and Undi, Bhimavaram mandals of West Godavari district have opposed the allegations levelled against them on the use of formalin in preserving fish. Kolleru region, which occupies the major share in freshwater fish exports from the state, is facing a tough time with poor exports to North Eastern states. The farmers have requested the state government to respond on the issue. Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and other North Eastern states occupy a major share of exports from Kolleru region and Catla (Bengal Carp), Rohu, Goldfish are major varieties of fish. Farmers say that they are cultivating fish in a scientific way following the directions of officials from fisheries department. Fish culture had taken a new shape in last three years and we are using advanced technology in cultivating and harvesting fish. We are regularly testing the quality of water and completely stopped using unnecessary medications, says Dasari Venkata Narasimha Rao a farmer from Kalidhindi of Krishna district. Farmers say that they are exporting live fish in special tankers to neighbouring states. We take proper care while exporting the fish and the agencies prefer to buy live fish from us. Live Rohu, Catla are exported to Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka in tankers with oxygen cylinders and exporters use cold chains and dry ice to export fish to North Eastern state and abroad, said Saagi Rama Rudhra Raju, a farmer from Elurupadu of West Godavari district. Farmers condemn the allegations on the usage of formalin a highly carcinogenic agent in preserving fish. M. Venkata Rama Raju, an exporter from Bhimavaram said that fish from Bhimavaram and Kolleru region is famous for its quality and they export them to other states in an airtight packing without breaking cold chain. He suspects that local wholesalers are using formalin before taking fish to open market. Eluru MP Maganti Venkateswara Rao (Maganti Babu) condemned the ban imposed by Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya and suspected a conspiracy. Andhra Pradesh is registering rapid growth in fisheries culture and most of our exports are freshwater fish and Vannamei shrimp. There are many processing units and cold chain technologies readily available in this region to facilitate exports and fish is exported after a number of quality checks and lab examinations, said Babu. Some political conspiracy is behind it and we will fight against it and support local farmers, added MP Babu.