PANJIM: In a major decision, Goa Government on Monday excluded traditional fishermen from the neighbouring States of Karnataka and Maharashtra, operating within 60kms radius, from the purview of guidelines set by
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) by permitting them to import their fish in the State.
In an order issued, Under Secretary (Health-II) Maria De Souza has, however, said that the fish brought in the State for local sale should pass the safety norms prescribed by the Food Safety and Standard Authority Regulations.
The order comes at the backdrop of a morcha held in the city by local fish traders and trawler operators, accusing government of destroying their business and livelihood.
Hundreds of fish traders and trawler operators marched onto Health Minister Vishwajit Rane’s residence at Dona Paula demanding the small fishermen operating within 60kms radius be treated as local and granted exemption and also to look consult its counterpart with regards to stoppage of their vehicles carrying fish in the neighbouring States.
A delegation of agitated protestors later met Rane, wherein the Minister promised to grant relaxation to the small local traditional fishermen.
State government through FDA has imposed restrictions on import of fish into Goa sans permissions like FDA license, trade license, insulated vehicles, etc, since mid November.
“There have been representations from the local traditional fishermen of the neighbouring States that is Karnataka and Maharashtra as well as from government of Karnataka, seeking adequate time for complying with the directions,” the order stated.
“In order to not to cause any hardship to the local traditional fishermen from the neighbouring States, Government hereby permits the local traditional fishermen of the neighbouring States to bring their fish in the State of Goa,” it added.
Only the traditional fishermen of the neighbouring States of Karnataka and Maharashtra within the radius of 60kms are permitted to bring their fish in the State in small vehicles that is light motor vehicles in insulated boxes or with adequate ice.
“The fish samples shall be subjected to random checks by the FDA officials Rapid Test kit developed by the CIFT. If the samples are found to be testing positive, the consignment shall be held back and further subjected to confirmatory lab test based on the results of which action as per food safety and standards Act will be taken,” the order mentioned.
“In the meantime, such traditional fishermen who are dealing in fish transport shall obtain necessary licenses from the concerned FDA,” the order said.
“The above instructions shall not apply to bigger trucks and other heavy vehicles carrying fish into the State of Goa,” government clarified.
Earlier speaking, Rane said that irrespective of the relaxation granted to the small fishermen, they will have to pass all the safety tests before entering the State. “I am also in touch with the FDA of
Karnataka and Maharashtra, to ensure a joint inspection at the borders,” he said.
