Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando told Parliament yesterday that the decision to introduce plastic crates was not a hurried decision and the subsequent gazette notification which was issued in January this year.
Winding up the committee stage debate on his ministry, Minister Fernando said though the gazette was issued in January, the President had given a one year grace period to implement it, in response to a request made by farmers and traders. The Minister said at present nearly 40 percent of vegetables are destroyed in transportation. The introduction of plastic crates is a good move taken for the sake of consumers.
Even the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe described this as a good move. 
At present the UNP and the JVP attempt to make this as an issue as they are not in a position to take up any other issues. Those who exploit farmers are opposed to these plastic crates, he said.
The Minister said the Government has already distributed 200,000 plastic crates among farmers. The President has also ordered the relevant companies to manufacture another one million crates.
He said both the UNP and the JVP are split today. It is regrettable to note that opposition members who expressed their views are not in the Chamber. They just sling mud and then leave the Chamber.
By Uditha KUMARASINGHE (sundayobserver.lk)