PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya will take steps to ensure that the supply of chicken remains stable in the future, says Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.
The Agriculture and Food Industries Minister said this was agreed upon during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (June 8).
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He said that among the steps that would be taken by Putrajaya include the immediate implementation of a chicken stockpile to address the shortage of supplies through the Farmers Organisation Authority (LPP).
"This will involve the Farmer's Organisation's cooperation and it will be implemented immediately," said Ronald in a statement on Thursday (June 9).
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Ronald also said that the Cabinet agreed to expedite subsidy payments to chicken breeders, adding that RM157.53mil will be channelled to small and medium breeders immediately.
He added that the government also agreed to simplify the import procedures of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) for four commodities - soy, wheat, corn and poultry as well as plants - by delaying permit fees.
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Ronald then said that Cabinet has also agreed to expedite the process of importing licenses through the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) through interim approvals beginning July 1, with an approval process of within a week.
"There will also be a revision of all electrical tariffs of the agro-food industry to lower the rising cost of operations to produce food,” he added.
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Ronald also said that the Cabinet also agreed to give a special exemption on the hiring of foreign workers, allowing them to be hired based on need in order to ensure that chicken farming is at its optimum level.
Meanwhile, Ronald said the Technical Committee on addressing the national food security issue will sit in weekly proceedings to identify issues and find short and long term solutions to the issue of food security in Malaysia.
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At the moment, Ronald said his Ministry has given breeders a total of RM729.43mil under the Keluarga Malaysia price control scheme implemented on Feb 5 of this year.
"Up until now, there were 1,644 applications with subsidy claims totalling to RM113.2mil approved by the ministry."
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Ronald said the government approved a subsidy payment of RM0.60 per kg from Feb 5 till March 30, which was later increased to RM1.40 per kg from April 1 to June 30.
He added that all breeders must forward their applications to ensure they receive subsidies.
"The government will remain to play an effective role with cooperation with all quarters in order to ensure adequate food supplies and affordable prices, in line with 'Keluarga Malaysia'," added Ronald.
Earlier on Thursday (June 9), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, said comprehensive steps must be taken by Putrajaya to ensure food security and the recent increase in the cost of living.
Hamzah said this was a stand taken by Bersatu following its Supreme Council meeting on June 8 (Wednesday) that was chaired by party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
