36,000 tonnes of Australian wheat awaits clearance at Kochi

Kochi, Aug 25 (UNI) A 36,100 tonne consignment of Australian wheat, imported by the Food Corporation of India, is awaiting clearance by the authorities, which have taken samples for plant quarantine test and grain quality test.

Official sources here said that the consignment arrived at the Cochin Port yesterday aboard the cargo ship MV Turicum and samples were taken by the Port Health Officer and the Plant Quarantine Department.

The sample taken by the Port Health Officer was sent to the Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI) at Mysore yesterday itself and the report is expected within two days. Only if the test reports are alright, will the grains be allowed to be unloaded, the officials said.

Meanwhile, sources at the Cochin Port Trust said that the ship is waiting outside the harbour and will be allowed to berth only after the authorities clear the consignment.

According to reports, a consignment of Australian wheat imported at Chennai last month had been allegedly found unfit for consumption due to high pesticide residue.

UNI ARC DK1315