Panaji: The fish trade from the neighbouring States into Goa started on Thursday, following a gap of almost a month, after Wholesalers procured necessary permissions for the imports from the State government.
State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane told reporters in the morning that nine trucks laden with fish from Karnataka entered the State during wee hours. “They were allowed only after they got permission from the FDA to do so,” he said.
The import of fish in the State had stopped since the last week of October due to ban imposed by Manohar Parrikar-led government, owing to the fear of formalin being used as a preservative in the fish.
“Goa government is going to ensure that the wholesale traders follow all the rules and all the stringent measures are in place,” the minister said on Thursday.
“The mechanism is in place by State Food and Drugs Administration department to check the food safety standards of the fish that is brought in the State,” Rane stated.
He said that besides the imports, ten trucks carrying fish from Goa left for Karnataka without facing any hindrance from the neighbouring State.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy had recently written to Parrikar requesting him to withdraw the ban imposed on the import of fish in the State. Responding to the letter, Rane had said that the ban would continue till traders comply with the FDA directives.
Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association, a body representing fish importers, on Thursday said that they will abide by all the regulations of FDA.
“We will abide my all the regulations of FDA. We are requesting Goans not to politicize the issue of fish. Whatever are the queries about fish that is imported can be answered by the association,” Association President Ibrahim Maulana said.
He said that the FDA should keep stringent check at the wholesale fish markets, where it (fish) is sold. Maulana said that the wholesalers will fully cooperate with the State government in ensuring that the quality fish is provided to the Goans.
