ACPTA urges authorities to stop egg imports

The All Ceylon Poultry Traders Association (ACPTA) laments over the decision taken by authorities once again to import a large quantity of eggs from India at the time the locally produced eggs are sold between Rs. 35 to Rs.38 each.

Speaking to the Daily News, ACPTA President Ajith Gunasekara said unlike earlier many poultry farmers who stopped the poultry industry due to the high cost of poultry foods have now started to breed chicks since poultry foods and related vitamins are now sold at considerable prices in the open market.

“If eggs are imported once again it will be a threat to the industry and also to countrywide poultry farmers,” he said.

He also highlighted that nearly 50,000 small and medium scale poultry farmers are currently in the country and egg imports would be a great threat to them and their families.

In addition Gunasekara said it is the duty of responsible Government officials to encourage poultry farmers to start new ventures since the country has adequate resources including land and water to start new poultry farms.

He also said responsible officials should instruct Divisional Secretariats countrywide to visit poultry farms regularly and listen to the grievances of poultry farmers.

Gunasekara is of the view that it’s cheaper to reduce poultry foods further rather than importing eggs when considering the colossal sum of foreign exchange spent on egg imports.

Gunasekara also said currently only super centres sell high quality eggs with the thick yellow coloured yolk at higher prices.

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