No subsidies for chicken breeders from July 1

The government will no longer provide subsidies to chicken breeders from July 1, says Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the subsidy will instead be channelled directly to the people who are in need of assistance, adding that this was aimed at ensuring that the people are not burdened by the hike in chicken prices.

Ismail said that previously, to ensure that chicken prices were not increased, the government had provided subsidies to breeders so that the price of chicken would remain stable at RM8.90 per kg, as it could reach RM12 per kg if the price was floated.

“The government spends RM720 million to ensure that the price of chicken is not increased. However, many of the breeders do not claim the subsidy payments and various issues are raised,” he said in his speech at the Barisan Nasional convention in conjunction with the coalition’s 48th anniversary celebration in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

However, he said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi and Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Ronald Kiandee would announce further details.

He said the government was also carrying out various actions to ensure sufficient food supply and that prices could be stabilised.

One is to encourage activities in the agrofood industry, including chicken breeding and the planting of corn by setting up an agrofood fund of RM500 million in soft loans to industry players.

“We will also identify farmers’ organisations or cooperatives involved in agrofood projects to be given financial aid.

“The government will also create a buffer stock for chicken, fish and meat. The government is studying the tax incentives to be given to agrofood industry players,” he added.

Ismail said the government would also stop the export of chicken to help overcome the shortage in the country.