mangalore today

CM to prevail on Goa says Fisheries director


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 21, 2018: The fish traders should carry a certificate from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the fish being transported to Goa from Karnataka, said Joint Director of Fisheries (Marine).


Fisheries.j


Allaying fears on the Goa’s ban on the sale of fish from the state, he said, “The fish transporters without these certificates were sent back.”

He was responding to the queries during phone-in programme, organised by DH-PV, at DH-PV Editorial Office in Balmatta, Mangaluru on Tuesday.

Ramacharya said the Goa authorities believed that fish transported from Karnataka was adulterated with formalin.

“Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has taken the issue seriously and has decided to hold talks with his Goa counterpart,” he said while answering a call from Maravanthe Gram Panchayat president.

“We are in touch with Goa officials and our chief secretary has sent a letter to the Goa government, seeking time to comply with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) regulations. The letter has also emphasised on the need to allow transportation and trading activities of fish between the two states and to keep the ban order on hold,” the officer said.

Fish transporters from coastal districts have been instructed to collect the certificates from Food Safety Department and transport licences for their vehicles before transporting fish. The licence should also clearly mention whether the fish are being transported for consumption or for fish meal industries at Rathnagiri in Maharashtra, he said.

There are conditions that the vehicles ferrying fish should be properly insulated for refrigeration to deliver quality fish.

“We have asked Goa authorities to give us some time to implement all these conditions, and instructed the designated officer for Food Safety and Drug Administration to provide certificates without delay.”

For a long-term solution, a dialogue between both the governments will be held and the state government is committed to solve the issue, Ramacharya added.

Fisheries director has also written a letter to Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, promising to ensure that the fish traders comply with the FDA regulations and obtain certification after meeting the required standards. “The process is already initiated in the three Coastal districts,”  Joint Director said.

The fish traders have to pay a fee of Rs 2,000 to get the certificate. The FSSAI certification is to ensures that hygiene is maintained, Ramacharya said.