Lahore: Poultry farmers have demanded the government to reopen hotels and restaurants to increase aggregate poultry consumption, according to a news source. Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA)-North Vice Chairman (VC) Chaudhry Muhammad Fargham stated in a press conference that the COVID-19 pandemic had put the country’s poultry industry in a dire situation.
Fargham revealed that the sector is facing immense monetary difficulties due to the consumption decrease and the various ongoing government bans. He informed the media persons that the poultry industry is important as it provides 40% of the total meat consumed in the country. The vice chairman has requested the government to formulate a plan to facilitate the said sector’s employment and keep the coronavirus infection contained at the same time.
The PPA VC also urged the government to allow the export of day-old chicks, chicken meat, eggs, and culled birds to Afghanistan to ensure revenue generation for the hard-hit poultry farmers. He also stated that hotels and restaurants account for a large part of chicken consumption, so should be reopened.
Furthermore, additional demands put forward include:
Providing new loans of PKR 400 million at 2-3% mark-up rate to medium-sized poultry farms
Deferring the sector’s electricity bills for three months – to be paid in instalments within a year’s time – without penalty
Waiving the import duties on soybean meal, vaccines, machinery, and medicines
