News
Substandard canned fish imported by 28 companies
By Saman Indrajith
Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena told Parliament yesterday that 28 companies had imported canned fish unfit for human consumption, under the yahapalana government.
Responding to SJB Ratnapura District MP Hesha Withanage, Minister Gunawardena said that the said canned fish stocks had been turned away by the Customs Department.
Withanage said that there were claims that during the time the Government decided to reduce canned fish prices, stocks, which were not suitable for human consumption, were circulated in the country. “I hope Dr. Gunwardena would look into that matter, too,” he said.
The Minister said that canned fish stocks which were not up to standard had been started to import due to the former Government’s decision to reduce custom duties imposed on canned fish.
Before 2015, there was a plan to start local canned fish factories. But the Good Governance Government stopped that and reduced the custom duties on canned fish. Those sub-standard canned fish stocks started to come into the country after that, the minister said.