KUCHING, June 25: Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing is proposing to the government to allow chicken farmers to claim refunds or subsidies with purchase documents obtained from chicken feed suppliers.
He said the leading cause of chicken and chicken egg shortages these days is the high and volatile global chicken feed prices, other than rising operating costs for raising poultry.
“At this point, farmers who run small businesses cannot buy chicken feed at low prices from suppliers because they cannot afford to buy in bulk or large quantities like importers.
“Through this method, I believe the operational stress of farmers can be alleviated,” he said.
With the government’s help, he said, the breeders can also weather through the wave of rising global commodity prices.
Tiong, who is also Dudong assemblyman, pointed out that no matter the amount of money invested, if not implemented correctly, any subsidy mechanism will be ineffective in helping the grassroots.
Meanwhile, Tiong viewed the removal of government subsidies to poultry operators or farmers as neglect of the food production chain in the country.
“The government is seen not to have a comprehensive understanding of the entire food production chain system to solve the shortage of chicken and egg supply.
“They are at the same time denying the truth and reality that farmers and ranchers currently have to bear great pressure on rising costs in the entire market supply chain.
“These are the most affected parties in the food production chain problem. Therefore, the government should take this problem more seriously,” he said in a statement.
On June 1, the government announced the removal of subsidies to chicken breeders effective July 1, for the money to be channelled directly to the needy instead. — DayakDaily
