Shillong, June 14: A fact finding committee will be set up by the Fisheries department to find out the source of formalin found in fish imported from outside the state.
Fisheries Minister AL Hek announced this on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Hek said the decision was taken after a meeting held between the fisheries department, the associations of fish farmers and fish wholesalers and retailers.
According to Hek, the associations produced an inspection report of the Task Force Team, Government of Andhra Pradesh which declared that “no formalin/ammonia/banned/toxic products/chemicals applied in any manner in the fish now tested and intended for exports to other markets.”
The state Food Safety Commissioner banned the sale of imported fish for 15 days from June 8, after 30 out of 42 samples were tested positive for formalin.
“Therefore, we have decided to constitute a fact finding committee to find out the truth. I have told the Secretary of the department that we should have the report within a day or two,” Hek said.
Hek said the ban on the sale of fish should not be too long as it will affect the livelihood of the fish vendors.
“I feel we should have one unloading centre where they can check all these fishes coming from different parts of the country into the state,” he said.
To a question, the minister said, “Anything if it is illegal, we will take action”.
Aqua culture mission
Speaking about the success rate of aqua culture mission, Hek said the fish production in the state has gone up from 32% to 50% due to the mission.
There are many successful stories of the mission, he added.
Local fish farming
The minister said there is a need to expand fish farming in the state.
“We want as much as possible that people should start their own livelihood by doing this kind of farming. Land is available in all rural areas. This will help stop migration from rural to urban areas and also ensure sustainable livelihood,” he said.
