KUCHING, Feb 9: Many chicken farmers would rather stop selling or rearing more livestock following the government’s implementation of price ceilings on poultry to stave off further losses.
Bintulu MP Dato Sri Tiong King Sing said this was the feedback he received from breeders who are unable to cover the soaring transportation costs of imported feed and other livestock from limited sales.
He asserted that the shortage of chicken meat and eggs is not deliberately caused by farms and related businesses, and urged the government to formulate effective solutions that is win-win for both farmers and consumers.
Noting that imposing price ceilings is meant to reduce consumer burden, Tiong however said it has failed to address the root cause of the problem and is unfriendly to the industry as a whole.
“Chickens and eggs are daily necessities and a vital part of the food supply chain. I strongly urge the government to take this matter seriously and implement lasting solutions.
“I will also be reporting to the Prime Minister to discuss this issue so that the relevant departments handle the people’s livelihoods with more care and sincere actions,” he said in a statement yesterday (Jan 8).
Tiong, who is also the Dudong assemblyman, urged the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries to prioritise resolving the shortage of chickens and eggs at hand.
He also reminded the government to deliver promised incentives or subsidies to chicken farmers and traders, rather than leaving them to fend for themselves. — DayakDaily
