Govt to consider lifting chicken export ban, says deputy minister

JASIN: The government is considering lifting the chicken export ban following the stabilisation of the chicken supply in the country, apart from production exceeding demand, says Deputy Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) Minister I, Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah.

He expects an announcement on the matter to be made some time this month.

"The ministry has solved whatever public complaints and grievances related to the issue of shortage of chicken and eggs, and currently these supplies are in excess.

"The matter has been examined at the ministry level after receiving an application from breeders," he told reporters in Merlimau here on Saturday (Oct 1).

Earlier, he handed over the ‘Bantuan Program Rezeki Ternak Unggas dan Projek Pertanian Organik Peringkat Parlimen Jasin’, and among those who attended the event were Merlimau assemblyman Dr Muhammad Akmal Salleh and Veterinary Services Department director-general Dr Akma Hamid.

Elaborating, Ahmad said currently the self-sufficiency level (SSL) for chicken is 104%, while the SSL for eggs is 115% and exceeds domestic demand.

He said previously, the government only allowed a total of 3.6 million chickens to be exported before banning exports from June 1.

Prior to this, the media had reported that the Special Task Force on Jihad Against Inflation would look into setting a ceiling price for chicken and carry out a study to allow chicken exports again. - Bernama