Govt stands firm on plastic crates issue
Ishara MUDUGAMUWA
The government will not relax or withdraw the regulation on the
mandatory use of plastic or wooden crates when transporting vegetables
and fruits, Internal Trade and Cooperative Minister Johnston Fernando
said at a media briefing at the ministry yesterday. "The government
introduced this regulation to provide fresh and quality fruits and
vegetables for consumers and provide a good price for farmers. About 30
to 40 percent of fruits and vegetables go waste due to improper
transportation. This results in a loss of around Rs 20 billion," the
minister said.
Fernando said that certain elements were trying to spread rumours
regarding this to gain political advantage.
Protests were started by some farmers and businessmen against the
mandatory use of plastic or wooden crates to transport vegetables and
fruits.
This regulation will not effect people who transport vegetables to
their homes and three wheelers and land masters which transport
vegetables or fruits. Only the large-scale fruit and vegetable
transporting vehicles will come under probe, he said.
"After a discussion with Colombo Manning Market businessmen, the
ministry agreed to solve matters without relaxing the regulations. The
ministry will provide a separate place to store fruits and vegetables as
they have limited storage facilities in their stores.
The ministry has sent 100 lorries to transport vegetable and if there
is a vegetable shortage in Colombo, the Narahenpita Economic Centre will
be converted into a wholesale vegetable market. Nuwara Eliya farmers
have also agreed to use plastic crates," the minister said.
He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa always gave priority to
farmers. "Farmers lose five to 10 percent of their produce during
transportation. This will not happen if they use plastic crates. With
the introduction of the new regulation, farmers can get a good price for
their produce," the minister said.
He said that about 200,000 plastic crates were sold at Dambulla and
Thambuttegama economic centres by yesterday.
The crates are produced locally. About 200,000 crates were issued by
the Agriculture Ministry as a subsidy.
One million crates have been produced and released to the market. The
ministry has taken measures to rent crates at Rs 50 per week.
If somebody doesn't agree with the regulation under these facilities,
there definitely has to be some political or personal motive, Fernando
said.
The Minister said, according to information he received a person
selling sacks was behind the protest at the Meegoda Economic Centre.
"If a stall owner of economic centre tries to create problems
regarding this matter, the ministry will seal their stalls," he said.
Consumer Affairs Authority chairman Rumy Marzook said of the 16
lorries checked yesterday only four lorries transported fruits and
vegetables without crates.
"They were taken into custody and a Rs 2000 fine was imposed.
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