Team Herald
PORVORIM: Urging the members of the House to refrain from politicising the formalin in fish issue for political reasons, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday assured the State Legislative Assembly that a robust mechanism would be introduced to ensure that the people get safe fish for consumption. Parrikar also warned to initiate criminal action against fish dealers found supplying contaminated or fish with non-permissible chemical added to it.
Speaking on the calling attention motion moved on the floor of the House, the Chief Minister said that the current impasse on formalin in fish is having an impact on tourism in the State and a permanent ban on import of fish could lead to a severe fish shortage in the market even for local consumption.
Stating that the fish samples tested negative for added formalin, Parrikar said that as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) 2018 guidelines, formaldehyde is naturally present in marine fishes and shellfishes.
He admitted that Food and Drugs Administration’s (FDAs) act saying that formaldehyde content was within ‘permissible limit’ was a misnomer as there is no permissible limit specified under FSSAI regulations.
The Calling Attention motion was moved by BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral and Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco expressing fear and anxiety in the mind of people after formalin was allegedly found in the fish which was imported and sold in the State.
“I will ensure safe fish is made available to the people of Goa. Food safety is an important issue. Health is an important issue and we will not play with health,” Parrikar said.
The Chief Minister said that before lifting the ongoing ban imposed on the import of fish into Goa, the government will bring in a mechanism to ensure regular checks are conducted across the State by FDA.
“The irresponsible statements made on the issue of formalin in fish have already started showing its impact on the tourism industry. I was told by the tourism industry that tourists have already stopped eating fish during their stay in Goa,” the Chief Minister said.
“I would urge all the members of the House to refrain from politicising the issue. Just for political scoring we are damaging Goa’s image. Goa’s image is already damaged due to several issues and let us not add another. Let us be responsible and sensitive while making statements,” he added.
Parrikar said that FDA needs to be strengthened with additional manpower and an effective mechanism to ensure there are regular checks, especially during the ban period June, July and tourism season. “Permanent ban is not a solution. We make statements without understanding its consequences. If we ban permanently, there would be fish shortage as the fish catch in Goa does not cater to the entire population,” he explained, adding that the local fish catch is restricted to 1.20 lakh tonnes, of which 30-40 percent fish is not consumed locally.
He said that fish being a staple food, Goans prefer varieties of fish, including crustaceans, which are not found along the coast of Goa and the local catch is restricted to a limited variety of fish such as mackerels, sardines, lepo, prawns, tuna, etc. “Goa being a renowned tourist destination with a vibrant tourism industry, the demand for popular variety of fishes like pomfret, seer fish, etc, could not be catered by the local catch alone,” Parrikar said.
“Hence, the demand for fish is met by importing the fish from the other States across the country specially States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Karnataka, etc. Such import of fish, apart from reducing the demand-supply gap, also helps in stabilising the market price of fish thereby making these fish affordable for Goans,” the Chief Minister said.
Parrikar said the government has the utmost concern for the health of the people and to remove the fear and confusion that has been created in people’s minds, has imposed a ban on the storage, distribution or sale of fresh fish including crustaceans brought from outside the State for consumption in the State for a period of 15 days from July 18.
“Since the enforcement of the ban, the Police in association with Transport Department had prevented the entry of nine trucks of fish brought from outside the State at the border check post. The government is ready to consider extending this ban for a further period in the interest of the health of the Goans if the prevailing circumstances warrant the same,” he said.
The chief minister said that as and when the ban is lifted, to build confidence amongst Goans regarding the quality of fish available in the market and to ensure the quality of fish sold, FDA along with the Directorate of Fisheries and Police assistance shall continue to monitor the quality of fish through routine and periodic inspections at major markets.
Admitting that there is need to curb the increasing monopoly in the fish market, the Chief Minister proposed to either shift the wholesale fish market of south Goa to any other constituency and till then ensure that all are allowed to enter.
