The government has proposed to significantly increase the fines applicable for breaches of the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Act.

Amendments to the act were outlined by Government Senator Pearnel Charles Jnr. during today’s sitting of the Senate.

In the case of a first offence, a fine of three million dollars will be applied, up from $200,000.

For a second offence, the fine would be $5 m, or 5 years imprisonment.