Lahore: Dr. Muhammad Mustafa Kamal, Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association warned of at least 25 percent jump in poultry products’ prices because the government has imposed overall 25 percent duties and taxes on all kinds of poultry feeds in the Budget-2015-16.
The new budget of next fiscal year has demoralized and depressed the poultry farmers because Government has slapped 5 percent sales tax on all types of poultry feeds, while 10 percent duty has been imposed on import of soybean meal along with 10 percent sales tax on it. The heavy duty on import of soybean meal is not logical because it is raw material of the poultry industry, which is not produced in the country.
Dr. Mustafa Kamal said that 25 percent tax on poultry feeds will deprive the poor of cheapest source of animal protein at affordable price. If the industry passes on this 25 percent additional cost to the consumers they will be unable to purchase the expensive poultry products and if industry absorbs itself the higher cost, which is already fighting for the survival owing to ever-increasing cost of production, it will collapse.