Pakistani government urged to review decision on wheat export

Former Pakistan Poultry Association chairman Abdul Basit has urged the government to review its decision to export two million tonnes of wheat and instead, construct modern silos to stock it for difficult times.

Export of two million tonnes of wheat would cause a huge loss as the expenses involved were much higher than the export price. The government should build most modern silos for wheat storage, Basit said, adding that these silos should be state-of-the art where wheat or any other grain could be stored for a long period.

Basit also demanded of the government to avoid implementation of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on poultry as it would rupture the backbone of the industry. He said that the Value-Added Tax would destroy the poultry industry as VAT on poultry feed, one-day old chick and other poultry products would add approximately 18% in the input cost of poultry industry, he said.

The poultry sector needs to be included in the policy package for Corporate Agriculture Farming (CAF), Basit said, adding that poultry is part of the agriculture sector and is regulated by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock.

He also urged the government to protect the local poultry sector by imposing 15% regulatory duty on import of poultry products.