State prepares to ban imported fish

SHILLONG: The state government is set to ban import of fish from outside the state after traces of formalin were found in the imported fish samples.
With the second test confirming the presence of the chemical preservative (formalin), the state government is now planning to ban import of certain types of fishes, an official said.
Meghalaya imports fish mainly from Andhra Pradesh.
“We will analyse the test result which was found to be positive, following which a ban is expected to be enforced”, said Additional Chief Secretary in charge Health, PW Ingty.
The commissioner of food safety had sent the fish samples to Guwahati for testing.
“While the first batch of samples tested negative, the second batch sent to Guwahati was found to be positive”, Ingty said.
No facility in ICAR
Earlier, the Fisheries Department had sent the fish samples to ICAR for testing.
However, the ICAR wrote back to the superintendent of fisheries expressing its inability to test the samples owing to lack of facilities.
Later, the department sent the samples to NEHU.
Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon said he will announce the government decision regarding the outcome of the test on Wednesday.
The state produces around 12,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fish every year and imports 9,000 MT to address the total demand of 21,000 MT.
Though production increased by 6,000 MT over the years following the launch of the aqua culture mission, Meghalaya is yet to become self-sufficient in fish production.