Tougher punishment for marketing fish products with harmful chemicals, bill placed in JS

A bill titled "The Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Bill, 2020" was placed in the parliament in a bid to ensure tougher punishment for marketing and exporting fish products mixed with harmful chemicals.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim placed the bill in the parliament today.

The bill was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry for further scrutiny and to report back to the House.

The committee was asked to submit its report before the parliament in 30 working days.

As per the proposed law, the punishment for violation of the law is minimum five years' imprisonment, fine of Tk five lakh or both.

According to the existing Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Ordinance, 1983, the punishment is maximum six months' imprisonment, Tk 5,000 fine or both.

While placing the proposed law, Minister Rezaul Karim said the bill has been framed for the protection and expansion of export market of Bangladeshi fish and fish products, and for supplying quality products to local markets.

As per the bill, no one can export fish and fish products, set up or run a factory or any establishment in this regard without having license.

The bill also said the license can be revoked on different grounds, including violation of conditions mentioned in the license, providing false information or concealing information, failure of renewing license for three consecutive years, and handing over and selling the license.

If the inspection officer finds unhygienic environment in the factories or establishment or sub-standard quality of processing during inspection, the administrative penalty would be maximum Tk five lakh fine, according to the bill.