The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers yesterday approved the Fish Feed and Fodder Ordinance-2008 aiming at increasing fish and animal productions on commercial basis in the country.

The approval was given at a meeting of the Council of Advisers held with Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair at his office.

The Ordinance will pave the way for ensuring supply of disease-free protein in the local markets, bringing dynamism to the export trade of fish and meat along with maintaining the quality of products, said Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, he said under the Ordinance no one would be allowed to be involved in the production process of fish feed and fodder as well as their export and import and also selling and marketing without licence.

Munaim said the producers will have to mention production and expiry dates of the products along with giving a description of the ingredients on the packets containing the fish feed and fodder. "According to the Ordinance, action will be taken against those who will violate any provision of it," he added.

Apart from this, the meeting held a threadbare discussion on the latest power situation in the country. The meeting was apprised that 600 to 800 MW electricity is being supplied to the irrigation areas daily.

Sayed Fahim Munaim said the meeting was also informed that this amount of electricity would be added to the national grid when the irrigation season is over. This will help reduce daily load shedding across the country.

The meeting observed that the country is expecting bumper Boro production this year as a result of uninterrupted power supply during the irrigation period.

In a brief presentation, Munaim said, the Food Adviser informed the meeting that the repair and maintenance works of food godowns are now underway to make them ready for preserving rice ahead of the upcoming Boro harvest.

Advisers to the caretaker government and Special Assistants to the Chief Adviser attended the meeting. Cabinet Secretary, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser and Secretaries concerned were also present.