WEDNESDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2011 
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today brought to the attention of Trade Minister Johnston Fernando the need to consult stakeholders of the vegetable trade at the grassroots level on the introduction of plastic crates for the transportation of vegetables and fruits.The Speaker said that he introduced these plastic crates in 2005 as the then Agriculture Minister, and distributed them among vegetable growers free of charge.
“It is advisable to involve the local government authorities in this case. The local authorities deal with Sunday fairs where farmers and traders assemble for vegetable trade. If grassroots level stakeholders are involved, a lot of problems can be avoided,” he said.
The Speaker made these remarks after Minister Fernando briefed the House on the latest crisis triggered by the implementation of law making it compulsory for traders to transport vegetables and fruits only in plastic crates.
The Minister said that this law is meant only for large scale traders transporting vegetable in lorries to Colombo from the main economic centres. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)
