ISLAMABAD: The government and industry stakeholders have voiced concern over the slump in poultry exports to Afghanistan and have agreed to take up the matter with Afghan authorities.
The issue came up for discussion in a meeting between a delegation, led by Big Bird Group Chairman and Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) Export Committee Convener Abdul Basit, and Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan.
Federal Secretary Dr Hashim Popalzai and other senior officials of the ministry were also present. “We are making efforts to enhance export of poultry and rightful demands of the industry will be considered,” the minister said and assured the poultry association of support for their budget proposals. He told the association to comply with international standards, which were indispensible for poultry exports.
“Disease-free poultry is fit for exports and to achieve that we need proper surveillance. The National Veterinary Lab provides the facility to check samples,” he said and sought the PPA’s cooperation in poultry monitoring.
The association submitted budget proposals with the objective of enhancing export of poultry and poultry products. It pointed out that the poultry sector was demanding duty drawback facility on the export of poultry products in line with other sectors, like 6% relief on chicken hatching/ eggs and 8% on chicken meat and products. The PPA also called for waiving cash margins on the import of raw material for value addition in poultry.
