PANJIM: Around 2,000 fish vendors from across the State on Monday demanded an immediate solution to fish import ban and appointment of Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) officer Iva Fernandes as head of the fish testing facility.
In the half day meeting at Azad Maidan, the fish sellers claimed they are not against the testing of fish as they too are in favour of selling chemical-free fish but demanded that the testing be done through a fish testing lab in markets pan-Goa.
Margao Wholesale Fish Traders Association President Ibrahim Maulana said FDA should set up their office at Margao wholesale fish market so that fish can be checked immediately.
He also sought that the government appoint FDA Officer Iva Fernandes as in charge of the fish testing
facility of FDA in the markets. “Let her check fish in the manner in which she wants and then certify whether the stock has chemicals or not. We know that we have been bringing fresh and clean fish but we also want that government should appoint her to do the exercise so that the confidence of the people in fish is regained,” he said, as others supported his demand.
The vendors attending the meeting also sought that the government grant them two months to complete all the formalities required to get an FDA licence. “The vehicles which are coming from Malvan, Devgad or Karwar or Gokarn that travel for 2 to 3 hours should be considered for some relaxation. We are not saying that they should be given blanket permission. We have asked them to built insulated vehicles. They have already started building such vehicles. They require some time,” he said.
The fish vendors, backing the government’s steps towards supplying chemical-free fish to the people of Goa, assured they will take strictest action against any fish vendor found involved in the unlawful activity.
Demanding an immediate solution to the present crisis in order to salvage the livelihood of many families dependent on this business, the association members said the issue is larger than the current mining and taxi issues.
