Poultry farmers ask minister to quit
Monday, 31 August 2009
FE Report
Poultry farmers have called for the resignation of the fisheries and livestock minister, Abdul Latif Biswas, for allowing import of 'bird flu laced eggs' from neighbouring India.
Bangladesh Poultry Khamar Roksha Jatiyo Committee, a platform of marginal and medium-size poultry farmers, demanded this at their regular meeting in the city Sunday.
"We demand immediate resignation of the fisheries and livestock minister for his role in issuing 'no objection certificate' for the import of Indian eggs," Khandkar Md Mohsin, general secretary of the committee said.
He also said the minister will be held responsible for the death of people caused by avian influenza after taking the eggs.
Currently, one GM Enterprise had imported 440,000 pieces of eggs by land.
The leaders of the poultry farmers said that the government had permitted import of eggs at a time when thousand of farmers of the country had been trying hard to reduce the price of eggs.
Mr Mohsin said the imported eggs will not only jeopardise public health but also affect the business of the 115,000 local poultry farms to a great extent.
The committee leaders said avian influenza is widespread in India and many middle-eastern countries have imposed embargo on import of eggs from India following the outbreak.
The government was compelled to allow import of eggs in the wake of rising price of eggs in the country. The government imposed a ban on the import of eggs since 1993 mainly to help the domestic poultry farms thrive.
The poultry farmers claimed that they have been selling each four pieces (white) at Tk 20, while the red variety at Tk 22.40 each four pieces to the wholesalers.
Poultry farmers have called for the resignation of the fisheries and livestock minister, Abdul Latif Biswas, for allowing import of 'bird flu laced eggs' from neighbouring India.
Bangladesh Poultry Khamar Roksha Jatiyo Committee, a platform of marginal and medium-size poultry farmers, demanded this at their regular meeting in the city Sunday.
"We demand immediate resignation of the fisheries and livestock minister for his role in issuing 'no objection certificate' for the import of Indian eggs," Khandkar Md Mohsin, general secretary of the committee said.
He also said the minister will be held responsible for the death of people caused by avian influenza after taking the eggs.
Currently, one GM Enterprise had imported 440,000 pieces of eggs by land.
The leaders of the poultry farmers said that the government had permitted import of eggs at a time when thousand of farmers of the country had been trying hard to reduce the price of eggs.
Mr Mohsin said the imported eggs will not only jeopardise public health but also affect the business of the 115,000 local poultry farms to a great extent.
The committee leaders said avian influenza is widespread in India and many middle-eastern countries have imposed embargo on import of eggs from India following the outbreak.
The government was compelled to allow import of eggs in the wake of rising price of eggs in the country. The government imposed a ban on the import of eggs since 1993 mainly to help the domestic poultry farms thrive.
The poultry farmers claimed that they have been selling each four pieces (white) at Tk 20, while the red variety at Tk 22.40 each four pieces to the wholesalers.