ZCZC
JS-05
FISHERIES-QUARANTINE-BILL
JS passes Fisheries Quarantine Bill, 2018
SANGSAD BHABAN, Oct 28, 2018 (BSS) –The Fisheries Quarantine Bill, 2018 was passed in the Parliament today in an amended form to control the import of fish to prevent the intrusion of any harmful bacteria into the country.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayan Chandra Chanda moved the bill in the
House with Deputy Speaker Fazley Rabbi Miah in the chair, later the bill was
passed unanimously by voice votes.
Piloting the bill, the minister said the proposed bill, Fisheries Department will act as the Fish Quarantine Authority to monitor the import of any fish or aquaculture species by water, road, air and other routes.
Currently, there is no law to check the intrusion of any disease or harmful bacteria through fish import, he said.
If any individual or company imports fish or fish products without permission, they will face minimum one-year and maximum seven-year jail or fine of maximum Taka 5 lakh or both. The offence under the bill would be considered as non-cognizable and bail-able.
Metropolitan magistrate, judicial magistrate and executive magistrate will have the authority to deal with the offence. However, no court will accept any case without written complaint of the quarantine officer.
Police, RAB, Coast Guard, BGB, port authority and civil aviation authority, Bangladesh Railway, shipping agencies and other organisations concerned will have the authority to prevent any activity detrimental to the law and help the fisheries officials to execute the law.
BSS/SAS/QC/2040 hrs