February 17, 2004

 

 

Malaysian Chicken Farmers Appeal For Help

 

The Federation of Livestock Farmers Association of Malaysia (FLFAM) is turning to the government for aid to help sustain the poultry industry, which faces a massive monthly loss of RM150 million and RM200 million.

 

"We, therefore, appeal to the Government to assist the chicken farming industry with soft loans to enable them to continue its operations. This is to enable them to purchase the necessary raw materials for farming operations and not to curtail its operations," its honorary adviser Datuk Francis Lau said in a statement. 

 

He added that with the current selling price of RM1.50 to RM1.80 per kg, the farmers were expected to lose RM4.50 to RM5 per bird. 

 

"The factors which contribute to the losses are mainly due to the increase in production cost in recent months resulting from the increase in maize and soy bean prices in the world commodity market," he said in a press statement yesterday. 

 

He said the livelihood of 150,000 people would be affected directly and indirectly if the chicken industry in the country was to close down. 

 

Lau added that importing chicken from overseas would raise concerns over health hazards and halal status. 

 

The industry had been facing uncertainties ever since the avian flu outbreak in the region. 

 

Although Malaysia remains unaffected by the outbreak, poultry farmers and sellers were feeling the effect of the drastic change in consumer diet from chicken to other meats despite the Government's assurance that it was safe to consume local chicken. 

 

The Government had also taken preventive measures to curb the disease from spreading in the country while traders had since dished out free roast chicken to the public in an effort to allay fears. 

 

The demand of chicken had decreased by 300,000 birds a day while hawkers had reported a 30% to 60% drop in business.