Meghalaya: State bans fish import for two weeks
SHILLONG, July 18, 2018: Meghalaya government has decided to ban fish import and sale of fish from other states for a period of 15 days.
Additional chief secretary, P.W. Ingty, confirming this on Tuesday, said in the interest of the public safety and health, the government has decided to ban all imported fish, adding that an order in this regard would come into force from Wednesday.
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Ingty said the second batch of samples collected from fishes brought from outside were sent to a laboratory in Guwahati and the test report has not come yet.
Ingty said, "We are still waiting for the test report on the second batch of samples. However, the government has felt it necessary to impose the ban for 15 days in the interest of the public".
The first batch of samples collected from fishes brought from outside was sent earlier for tests at the laboratory in Assam but the first test report showed negative results.
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Meghalaya has no proper laboratories of its own for testing of various samples, including food items suspected to have been laced with preservatives that may harm people's health.
In 46 years of statehood since 1972, Meghalaya is yet to equip itself with a state-of-the-art laboratory.A laboratory is urgently required especially when the state government has to immediately verify food items that contain substances that are hazardous to health.
The latest case is the testing of samples collected from fish in markets.
"We need to have our own laboratory with all the required equipments, and the government is taking steps in this regard," Ingty said.
He said the state health department has a small laboratory but it has to be upgraded with facilities.
Meghalaya has been sending samples to laboratories in Assam, Bengal and other states for test of samples of food items.
Source: The Telegraph
Featured image: Representation
