PANJIM: Following the public outcry and criticism and keeping in view the forthcoming Assembly session, the State government on Wednesday announced it is banning the import of fish for the next 15 days.
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said it has been taken in the interest of Goa and Goans. “We have banned the import up to August 3 which will lay to rest all confusion and controversy about formalin scare,” Parrikar said adding, “By banning the import I’m eliminating the fear.”
He said that fishing activity in Goa will resume from August 1 and plenty of fresh fish will be available to Goans thereafter.
“Even now I think enough local catch is available for consumption. During my younger days we never had fish in the monsoons and we used to get only local catch which was enough. Goan fresh fish is absolutely safe for consumption,” he said.
The Chief Minister further stated that the ban is effective for all States. “Instructions to be issued at borders not to allow fish trucks into State,” he said.
Asked why the ban is only for 15 days, he said, “Once the fishing season starts in Goa, the import reduces automatically which eliminates any fear.”
To a query Parrikar replied the ban has been imposed under the Food and Drugs laws. Parrikar was also non-commital when asked whether the fish raided by FDA was found to have formalin first, saying he is not an expert to comment on it.
“Don’t go by media reports. It is for the experts to tell whether the fish was found with formalin. I have already made the reports public,” he said.
Replying to another query, he said that FDA will keep a check on all products which are under suspicion. “We will check everything including vegetables and fruits, which are said to be laced with preservatives,” he said adding, “If found laced with preservatives will also act on import of vegetables and fruits.”
The fish business is in eye of storm since FDA raided the markets last Friday in Salcete and North Goa and found formalin within “permissible limits”.
Experts have opined that formalin cannot be allowed in any limits for consumption as it is carcinogenic to humans.
