HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, June 17: State Commerce and Industry minister Bimal Borah inaugurated the Mobile Residues Testing Lab to support tea leaves testing in Dibrugarh on Monday.
Borah formally inaugurated this advanced laboratory at the Teamafco tea factory in Alimur, Dibrugarh.
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While speaking at the programme, Bimal Borah appealed to all the stakeholders to follow the prescribed guidelines for the greater interest of the entire tea industry.
“The chief minister of Assam will discuss the matter related to the SOP on June 22, 2024, in the presence of all the stakeholders,” Borah said.
“I would like to thank the Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers’ Association for bringing the mobile testing lab to Dibrugarh to check the tea leaves collected from small tea growers. This step is much needed for the sustainability of the tea industry. The tea industry has been facing many challenges, but we have overcome every challenge we faced,” Borah said.
Amid ongoing controversy over the use of prohibited chemicals on raw tea leaves, a mobile testing laboratory named ‘Eurofins Agro Laboratories’ was inaugurated in Dibrugarh.
“This mobile lab will ensure the quality standards of chemicals used on tea leaves. This is the first laboratory in the 200-year history of Assam’s tea industry. Tea leaves purchased by bought leaf factories from small tea growers and the made tea produced by the bought leaf factories will be tested in this laboratory,” said Chand Gohain, president of ABLTMA.
He added, “There will be sample collecting centres in various places, including Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, etc. The launch of this Mobile Residues Testing Lab comes at a crucial time.”
“This mobile lab will empower our small and large tea growers alike, providing them with accessible, timely, and reliable testing services right at their doorstep,” said Gohain.
Pankaj Jaiminy, managing director of Eurofins Analytical Services India, assured, “The launch of this Mobile Residues Testing Lab comes at a crucial time. The global market’s demand for safe, residue-free tea is growing, and with increasing regulatory standards, it is imperative that our tea producers can meet and exceed these requirements. This mobile lab will empower our small and large tea growers alike, providing them with accessible, timely, and reliable testing services right at their doorstep.”
“This state-of-the-art facility will enable us to test for pesticide residues in tea leaves swiftly and efficiently. In doing so, we take a giant leap towards safeguarding the health of consumers, ensuring the integrity of our tea, and maintaining our reputation on the world stage,” he said.
