Govt imports chicken, eggs

Parliamentary Corrs

The Government has decided to import 250,000 tonnes of chicken and 50 million eggs to control the increasing prices during the forthcoming festive season, cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando informed the House yesterday.

He said the Cabinet of Ministers have already granted permission in this regard.

The Minister said imported chicken and eggs would be sold in the market at existing prices and the decision was considered by his Ministry several months ago.

Minister Fernando said the Government has a responsibility to protect local farmers and the consumers as well.

Answering a question raised by UNP Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara, the Minister said that the Government has imported 390,322kgs of chicken up to now since last April.