Dairy farmers decry import duty cut

Lowering the import duty on powdered milk as proposed in the budget for the next fiscal year (FY) would destroy the dairy sector, its stakeholders feared.

In the budget for FY 2018-19, the government has proposed reducing the import duty to 10 per cent from 25 per cent, reports UNB.

Bangladesh Dairy Farmers' Association (BDFA) came up with their reaction to the budget at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city on Tuesday.

It urged the government to increase the import duty to 30 per cent to safeguard the dairy sector.

BDFA president Md Imran Hossain said low import duty will pave the way for the import of substandard powdered milk, which would pose a threat to public health.

The dairy sector of the country is not only contributing to food security and nutrition but also to the country's economy, he said.

The sector is also playing an important role in creating employment, he added.

At this point, reduction in import tariff on milk powder would destroy the growing sector, badly affecting local dairy farmers and producers, said Mr Imran.

Thus, this sector will again become dependent on India, he added.

Mohammad Ali, a dairy farmer, urged the government to take an initiative to develop veterinary facilities and lower the cost of animal feed.