June 16, 2008

Pakistani poultry industry left out of federal budget 2008-09
   
  

Pakistan's federal budget 2008-09 has left out the poultry industry and the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) has written a letter to the government, asking for a place in the provincial budget for the sector.

The federal government announced rebates for other industries but there were none for the poultry industry, which is one of the most important sectors in Pakistan, according to Syed Javaid Hussain Bukhari, secretary general of PPA Punjab.

Industry players felt that as an important industry, the government should have given it rebate in taxes and relief in electricity tariffs.

Many poultry farms have been closed due to bird flu threats and other reasons, Bukhari said, adding that foreign investors for the poultry sector are given concessions but not the locals.

PPA Punjab has asked the government to provide the poultry sector 45,000 tonnes of wheat per month to overcome the sector's feed problem and to stabilise feed prices, according to Bukhari.

Bukhari said the poultry sector does not have an industry status and poultry farmers receive electricity bills of commercial tariff.

Bukhari added that the government should issue interest free loans of at least Rs1 million (US$14,968) to small poultry farmers to help them revive their business and to help in overcoming the food crisis.