Goa Tourism Minister defends ban on import of fish

Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar Monday said the ban on import of fish into the state should not affect the economy and traders complying with regulations should be allowed to bring in fish.

The Goa government Saturday announced a ban on import of fish into the state for six months, against the backdrop of a scare that formalin, a potentially cancer-causing chemical, was being used to preserved fish.

"Government decisions should not affect the economy. This is peak tourist season in Goa. Those who comply with necessary statutory guidelines (laid down by FDA) should be allowed to import fish. I request (state) Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to act accordingly," Ajgaonkar said in a statement Monday.

The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), an umbrella organisation of tourism stakeholders, had called the ban a "drastic step" with its president Savio Messiah claiming that the state government had not taken them into confidence while announcing it.

The Goa Shack Owners' Welfare Society president Cruz Cardoso also claimed that the six-month ban would have an adverse impact on business.