Government takes action on plummeting livestock prices
Kim Yutharo
FACING a pressing call from a political party to combat a dramatic decline in livestock prices, the Cambodian government, alongside the Agriculture Ministry and key institutions, is actively mobilising to implement emergency measures.
“The matter is complex and necessitates comprehensive consideration of technical, legal and other implications. To date, several meetings have convened and we continue to expedite our efforts,” spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Khim Finan stated on January 3.
He expressed hope for prompt results.
The newly-formed Nation Power Party released a January 3 statement urging urgent actions against the sharp fall in prices.
The statement mentioned widespread complaints about the falling prices of cattle, live pigs and other livestock in the market.
It highlighted that the decline had caused severe losses to approximately 90 per cent of domestic animal farmers and breeders.
“We and the general public have observed that the primary cause of the dramatic decline in livestock prices is the importation of frozen and substandard meat. This meat, failing to meet technical and agricultural standards, has severely impacted domestic livestock producers and detrimentally affected public health,” it stated.
The party urged the government to enforce stricter laws, particularly enhancing controls on the quality of imported frozen meat, in line with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards.
Srun Pov, director of the Cambodia Livestock Raisers Association (CLRA), confirmed the significant decline in prices, attributing it to frozen meat imports as well.
He said relevant parties, including the ministry, importers, the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) and CLRA, would convene to devise a solution to the pressing issue.*