Govt. lifts ban on maize imports to help poultry industry

The Cabinet Sub Committee on Cost of Living has decided to permit the import of maize solely for the purpose of manufacturing animal food as a remedial measure to prevent the soaring production cost of chicken.  This decision was taken after lengthy discussions the Committee held with the patronage of Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake at the Finance Ministry on Tuesday (2 August). Accordingly, the existing stocks of maize hoarded by middlemen will be bought at Rs.52.50 per kilogram through Lak Sathosa and they will be sold to fodder manufacturers at a concessionary price of Rs.45.00 per kilogram.  Accordingly, the Finance Ministry agreed to incur the loss of Rs.7.50 per kilogram caused due to providing maize at a lower rate.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture was instructed to provide necessary permits to animal food producers who have already obtained recommendations from the Department of Animal Food Production and Health, to enable the fodder manufacturers to immediately import 75,000 metric tons of maize. Accordingly, the Cabinet Sub Committee on Cost of Living instructed the relevant authorities to import the permitted stocks of maize before the next season of maize harvesting.

According to statistics from the Development Finance Department of the Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka annually requires 400,000 metric tons of fodder. About 250,000 metric tons of this requirement is locally manufactured while the balance 150,000 metric tons has to be imported.  The first stock for this year’s requirement will immediately be imported following the decision taken tuesday by the Cabinet Sub Committee on Cost of Living.

Meanwhile the Sub Committee on Cost of Living further discussed the market situation after the recent imposition of maximum prices on essential consumer items. It was revealed during the meeting that raids have been carried out to apprehend traders who violate the government ruling, and sell goods at higher prices.  The meeting was informed that 1,019 such unscrupulous traders have so far been brought to book by the authorities.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Mahinda Amaraweera,  Industry and Trade Union Coordination Minister W.D.J.  Senevirathna, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Director General of the Development Financial Department A.M.B.M.V. Athapattu, an Advisor to the Prime Minister R. Paskaralingam and several ministry officials including those from the Ministries of Rural Economic Affairs and of Agriculture also participated in the discussions.