KUALA LUMPUR – The government’s about-turn to maintain the ceiling prices of poultry will not be a major issue for farmers, said the Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM).
FLFAM adviser Datuk Jeffery Ng Choon Ngee said this is because the government’s subsidy application process has been simplified, which, in turn, removes the hurdles for farmers seeking aid.
“If the subsidy is to continue, we are slightly at ease because it settles many things.
“If the price is controlled again, there will not be an issue anymore because subsidy applications have also been made easier so it is no longer a burden to us,” he told The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran.
Ng was commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement yesterday that chicken prices will not be floated as planned earlier.
Ismail had said new ceiling prices would be announced soon by the Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee.
Ng also revealed how the revamped subsidy application system is faster as submissions are now accepted online, instead of the previous practice of manually handing in physical forms.
He said the new system requires farmers to fill up only three separate forms, as opposed to the 13 different applications they had to complete previously.
“(The application process) has been made easier and faster so the issue of subsidies is actually no longer an issue,” he said.
When asked on his take what the new ceiling prices could be, or if it would remain at RM8.90, Ng conceded it would be difficult and outside the jurisdiction of the federation to predict or assume what the new prices will be.
He gave his commitment that the FLFAM will comply with the government’s guidelines when Putrajaya announces the new ceiling rates.
“Nothing has been finalised yet, everyone is still deciding on the new ceiling prices. We ourselves do not know (the prices) so it would be difficult to comment on.
“That would be a decision of the government, what will be announced, we will comply,” he added.
Ng also recalled how FLFAM met with the agriculture and food industries ministry for an engagement session earlier today, with farmers providing their input directly to Kiandee.
“We met with the agriculture and food industries minister this morning. During the meeting, he was only looking to listen to our situation and explanations.
“We only gave our explanations and views, but the decision (of ceiling prices) lies with the cabinet,” he said. – The Vibes, June 25, 2022
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