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Addressing the reporters the minister said that he had spoken with health minister of Goa Vishwajit Rane and confirmed that there was no ban on fish imports from Karnataka. However, the Goa government is apprehensive about the alleged application of formalin on fish as a preservative. The minister said that though the fishermen from Karnataka do not make use of the chemical on the fish, Goa also imports fish from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, making the situation difficult.
The day the Goa government restricted the entry of fish from Karnataka, I had spoken to officials from the Uttara Kannada district administration, chief secretary and Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane. He said the Goa government has not banned importing fish from Karnataka. Application of formalin to keep the fish fresh in fact spoils its quality, and it affects the health of people. Hence, the minister has told me that they are mandating certification from the food department for imported fish,” said the minister.