New government measures in support of poultry, dairy sectors

After the various sit-ins carried out by milk producers in Akkar and Zahleh, and poultry farmers and egg producers during last month, to demand the protection of domestic production, some progress was noted in addressing these two issues. 

As such, the Lebanese dairy producers seemed comfortable with the outcomes of the meeting held two days ago and which included representatives of the ministers of agriculture, industry and economy, and members of the National Committee for Milk and Owners of Dairy Factories. The meeting discussed challenges in the marketing of the domestic production of fresh milk, among other pressing issues. In this respect, engineer Kheir Jarrah, on behalf of the dairy farmers, shared with An Nahar newspaper the encouraging decisions taken at the end of the meeting namely 1) maintain the fixed price of one liter of fresh milk at LBP 1000, 2) stress the role of the Consumers Protection Department in monitoring dairy standards and specifications of dairy products, 3) set regulations for the import of milk, and 4) form a joint committee of representatives of the relevant ministries, farmers and factories to supervise implementation of above results. Meanwhile, the ministries of industry, agriculture and economy also discussed with a number of stakeholders in the poultry sector problems they face because of illegal imports of chicken and agreed to submit a proposal for raising the price of imported chicken and putting an end to the growing smuggling across the border. As concerning egg production, parties concerned agreed to increase the value of subsidies for exports carried through IDAL.

As Safir, Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, May 4 and 5, 2016

 

Related previous news: 

Milk producers demand protection of domestic production

Poultry farmers stage a sit-in to demand protection against foreign competition