TAKING NO CHANCE
* This is the first time that it will be mandatory for traders to get a license from FDAs of the two trading States
* Failure to obtain a license within 15 days from August 2 would result in keeping fish-carrying trucks away from Goa
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The Chief Minister, the Secretary of Health and the Director of the FDA, after deliberations, felt that this needs to be done in the interest of food safety----------------------------------------------------
- Vishwajit Rane
PANAJI: As the 15 day ban on the import of fish into the state ends today, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced on Thursday that fish trucks would be allowed to enter the state through just two entry points -- Polem in South Goa, and Patradevi in North Goa -- with effect from Saturday.
Traders from Goa who deal in the import of fish from outside Goa would have 15 days to get a registration/license from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006.
This is the first time that it will be mandatory for traders to get a license from either the FDA in the state from which they're bringing the fish, or in the absence of this, from the FDA in Goa. Though there was a provision for this under the FSSA, the same had not been enforced strictly earlier. However, in view of the recent formalin scare, Rane said that failure to obtain a license within 15 days from August 2 would result in trucks/traders without the license not being allowed to enter the state.
"The Chief Minister, the Secretary of Health and the Director of the FDA, after deliberations, felt that this needs to be done in the interest of food safety," said Rane. "People should have no doubts in their mind about proper checks being conducted, as we are taking the utmost caution. (Traders) will have 15 days to comply with this, after which, stringent measures will be strictly followed," he asserted.
The circular issued by the Public Health Department on Thursday also states that fish that is transported should be done only through insulated vehicles. It also states that local fish traders should ensure that traders from outside the state comply with these requirements, as well as make sure that the fish imported by them for sale within Goa is of the 'right quality and free from any contamination, conforming to Food Safety and Standards Regulations.'
The Goa Police, Directorate of Transport and Directorate of Fisheries have been roped in to assist in the implementation of the plan in order to aid FDA officials to perform tests on fish consignments.
When asked, the Health Minister said that the documents of even those trucks/fish traders that were passing through Goa to go to another state to sell fish would be checked, and that the Chief Minister has been and would be updated on a day-to-day basis.
