Team Herald
PANJIM: Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo has demanded that random checks be conducted on fish consignments rather than having a blanket ban on import of fish in the State.
“There can be stringent measures on the border to check whether the fish that is brought in the State is laced with chemicals. But that does not mean we have a blanket ban on the fish import,” Lobo said on Tuesday.
He said that fish from neighbouring fishing hubs of Shiroda, Malvan, Sawantwadi in Maharashtra and Karwar from Karnataka are hardly two hour travel from the State and should be allowed.
“The fish from these places are supplied in local markets. The restaurant business has been severely affected due to a scarcity of fish. The price of fish available in the market has sky-rocketed,” Lobo, a BJP MLA representing Calangute constituency, said.
He said FDA can have mobile laboratories which can conduct random checks on the fish. “If anyone is found bringing in fish laced with chemicals, then he should be punished severely. Do not stop trucks which are bringing fresh fish to Goa,” he said.
Azgaonkar was the first MLA to demand that fish import should not be banned. On Monday, the minister had said that the ban is going to affect the tourism industry in the State.
