Goa: Over Formalin Scare In Fishes, Govt Bans Import From Karnataka & Other States

After the Goa government’s ban on fish from Karnataka, the fishermen, as well as traders in coastal Karnataka, have been faced with a tough situation. Goa has alleged that Formalin is being used by fishermen and traders in Karnataka.

Ban on fish carrying trucks from Karnataka and elsewhere

Earlier, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Goa reportedly issued a circular which denied entry permit to the fish carrying trucks from Karnataka. While the government did not formally announce a ban on fishes from outside, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced the ban on Saturday, November 10 and said that it is going to come into effect from November 12 for a span of six months, reported The Hindu.
Reportedly, he indicated that unless the consignment is approved by the FDA, getting fishes from outside into Goa is banned. However, some traders have obtained the license and are transporting fishes to Goa. Moreover, he added that the government is going to set up quality control laboratories to test marine products, and the ban could go on for longer if these labs do not come up in time.

Formalin is not used

According to Deccan Herald, Yashpal Suvarna, President Of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Cooperative Fish Marketing Federation president has asked the government in Goa to revoke the ban. Reportedly, he also said that the government in Goa did not conduct any test to prove that Formalin is being used and claimed that none of the traders uses that particular chemical for preserving the fishes.
According to The Hindu, Suvarna said that it is not proper for the Goa government to enforce the ban based on FDA regulations as fishes are a natural fresh product. He also added that fishing is a lucrative source of livelihood for most of the people and that they wouldn’t want to jeopardize it by adding Formalin.
Reportedly, the federation is going to hold talks with in-charge Fisheries Director Ramakrishna and Deputy Commissioner to figure out a course of action.
Earlier in July, the Assam Government also banned import and sale of fishes from other states for 10 days due to the presence of formalin in fishes. Experts have claimed that if the chemical is present in fishes, even in small amount makes it unfit for consumption.
Source: The Logical Indian
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