August 2, 2007

Pakistan's poultry industry voice protest at land lease to foreign company

The Pakistan Poultry Association has pleaded with the government to stop leasing out land to foreign poultry companies.

Thailand's Charoen Phokphand Foods, the largest chicken processor in Thailand, recently announced plans to set up breeding farms and feedmills in Pakistan. The chicken conglomerate has subsidiaries in Laos, Philippines, China, Indonesia and other countries.

Pakistan had reportedly signed an agreement with a Thai company for 66 acres of land at nominal rates and is going to lease out further parcels to the company, Chairman Shahid Mahmood said.

He added that the Pakistani poultry industry would see that such an agreement was discrimination against the local poultry industry.

While stressing the industry is not against foreign investment, foreign companies should compete on a level playing field, Shahid said.

Pakistan's poultry industry is an inalienable part of the country's economy as it currently generates Rs 140 billion (US$2.3 billion) for the country and provides jobs for 1.2 million people, he added.