By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Feb 25: The Federal government has allocated RM500 million to control the price of chicken and related food,where a standard chicken is priced at RM8.90 per kg, from Feb 5 to June 5.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affair (KPDNHEP) Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Lingga explained that breeders had been facing the issue of high operation cost due to the hike in the price of chicken feed.
To cover the high cost, breeders asked to increase the price of chicken and related food such as eggs.
He said Malaysian chicken breeders have been too dependent on foreign imports, such as from Brazil and Argentina when chicken feed was concerned, resulting in high cost of operation on the breeders part, which if no mitigating steps were taken, would be passed on to the consumers.
“The government won’t let it happen just like that because the government cares about all quarters and knows the importance of chicken breeders.
“And if we were to import, even if we were to give out permits, chicken will not be imported at the cheap price we hope for. Because of that, as it has been announced, RM500 million has been allocated to control the prices of standard chicken and eggs; Grade A, B and C,” said Nanta at a press conference at Majma Mall today.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob at the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) had reached the decision where it would be able to take care of both sides – the chicken breeders and the consumers.
On the question of the application of subsidy for chicken breeders, the Kapit MP said the criteria and its approval rests with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries.
For KPDNHEP, its main responsibility is to take charge on the prices of goods. — DayakDaily
