Punjab weighs options to regulate poultry prices

LAHORE:The Punjab government has initiated consultation over various options to regulate poultry meat prices in the province.

A meeting of the Price Control Council was held in this connection on Tuesday at Tevta Secretariat, under the chairmanship of Punjab Livestock and Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Member Provincial Assembly Chairperson Task Force on Price Control Salima Butt.

The task force on price control formed by the chief minister reviewed the mechanism of fixing the prices of chicken meat. In the meeting, various options were also considered regarding the demand and supply of chicken.

Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said on this occasion that the chief minister’s first priority was to give relief to the people of the province. He said that the government wanted chicken meat to be cheap so that the common man can buy it. He directed to make more stringent regulations to prevent the poultry industry from high prices of chicken. He directed the Secretary Livestock to consult with the Industry Department to resolve the issues related to the chicken industry.

On this occasion, Member Provincial Assembly and Chairperson Task Force on Price Control Salima Butt said that due to the Punjab government's initiatives and efforts, the trend of reduction in chicken prices was being seen for the last one or two days. She further said that there was a need to monitor the chicken items supply and prices on daily basis.

Livestock (Research) Director General Sajjad Hussain gave a briefing on the previous years and current mechanism (formula) for determining chicken prices. Further, the proposed mechanism and production cost for determining chicken prices in Punjab will also be briefed by him.

The meeting was attended by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider, Secretary Livestock Punjab Masood Anwar, Secretary Industries Ehsan Bhatta, Secretary Food Moazzam Iqbal Supra, DG Industries and DG Livestock (Research) and representatives of PITB.