GOVT. SHOULD STABILIZE EGG PRICES: POULTRY FARMERS

Poultry farmers warned their industry would collapse unless the government took steps to stabilize the drastically falling egg prices. They say the unlimited import of day old chicks have resulted in an increase in the egg production, causing a` drastic drop in prices

All Ceylon Poultry Farmers Association Provincial President K. M. Gnanatileke said the current wholesale price of Rs. 5. 50 and the retail price of 6.25 was not sufficient at all.

He said the uncontrolled imports of chicks during February resulted in a drastic drop of egg prices. Mr. Gnanatileke said nearly 500,000 chicks had been imported during that time alone. This he said was done in order to control the price of chicks.

He said the authorities decided to import as prices of chicks soared in the local market.

"The price of a day old rose to Rs. 350 during this time, and the importation was the only option as a result," he said.

In addition he said laying hens were also imported as the salmonella disease destroyed the poultry farmers.

Besides Mr. Gnanatilleke said the price of eggs usually goes down during the months of May and June when consumption is relatively low because of religious festivals such as Vesak and Poson.

The ideal price of an egg which a poultry farmer would like to receive would be Rs 12. This he said is because they have to spend Rs 10 per egg. " We have to spend a considerable amount to feed the chicks and have other expenses as well therefore Rs 12 would be an ideal price so that we would get a satisfactory profit margin for every egg we sell," he said.

Coming up with another issue he said the price is controlled by a handful of whole traders in Colombo and the state owned Sathosa also adjust its prices whenever these whole sellers change their prices.

However, Mr. Gnanatilleke said they have already met Minister Johnston Fernando for a discussion and had got some relief as the Minister has assured the government would purchase eggs from them at Rs 8 in order to distribute them among the school children along with their midday meal. He therefore said the price had gone up by a little more than Rs 1 as a result of this move.

While stressing the need for a proper planning when it comes to importation of chicks, he said the poultry farmers too have a duty to perform as they should be more flexible and try to go for a amicable settlement to the issue through peaceful means.

He was referring to a protest held

The uncontrolled imports of chicks during February resulted in a drastic drop of egg prices. Mr. Gnanatileke said nearly 500,000 chicks had been imported during that time alone

by the poultry farmers in Kurunegala over the weekend along with some opposition politicians including UNP Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.

The Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade assured of an amicable settlement. A Ministry spokesman said all efforts will be made to ensure that the purchase of eggs takes place without any hiccups. Ministry assured the government would purchase a large sum as eggs would be provided to nearly one million school children in the country.