Ban on fish import comes into effect

PANAJI: The state government on Tuesday issued the order banning import of fish from other states with immediate effect. However, traders who have complied with all the food safety rules have been exempted from the ban.

“The government imposes a ban on the import of fish into the state of Goa with immediate effect. However, this ban shall not apply to any person carrying on fish business as trader or transporter or in any manner dealing with fish, who has complied with the Food Safety and Standard Act and Rules and Regulations framed thereunder, including taking necessary licenses or registration as the case may be under the Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulations,” under secretary, health, Maria Seomara De Souza stated in the order.


Last week, health minister Vishwajit Rane had said that the government will impose a ban on import of fish for six months, which could be extended by another six months till an independent laboratory was set up in the state to check for formaldehyde contamination in fish.

The order stated that it had been brought to the knowledge of the government that fish was being brought in from outside the state in small boxes via public transport vehicles, thereby violating the directorate of food and drugs (FDA) compliance conditions.

“The transport and police departments were directed to allow only those vehicles that were complying with the conditions,” De Souza said in the order, adding that both departments will ensure “enforcement of instructions scrupulously”.

Rane had said on Saturday that not a single fish trader had registered with the FDA in Goa.

The authority had, on October 24, revoked the registration certificates of 33 traders from the Margao wholesale fish market for failing to obtain trade licences from the municipality.

As per government statistics, nearly 182 trucks carrying fish enter the state daily, of which 100 supply to processing units and are mainly for export, and 82 supply to the domestic market.

On October 26, the state government stopped allowing fish traders who have not registered with FDA, from importing fish from outside the state.

The formalin-in-fish issue harks back to mid-July, when the state government banned the import of fish for 15 days after an FDA officer found formalin in fish imported from other states, sparking a furore across Goa.

Recently, politicians from across the border had threatened to damage Goa registered vehicles if the state government did not allow their fish trucks to enter Goa.