Bangladesh: Govt. eases poultry feed import policy
The Bangladeshi government has decided to amend the existing Import and Export Policy Order, and relax rules for importing poultry feed following demands made by local poultry owners. The decision was taken recently at a cabinet committee meeting on economic affairs chaired by Finance Minister AMA Muhith.
After the meeting, the finance minister said: “The Ministry of Commerce has tabled the amendment proposal of the policy order in the meeting. The committee has given its nod to amend the rule to relax the system for importing poultry feed. It will be effective from now onwards.”
Earlier, the commerce ministry sent a proposal to the cabinet division to amend section 17(2) (Kha) of the Import and Export Policy Order 2012-15, to withdraw a provision for compulsory tests of poultry feed free from antibiotics and melamine.
Before the ministry placed the proposal, it sought the opinion of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) regarding the poultry farm owners’ request.
In the proposal Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed said the Animal Health Companies Association of Bangladesh (AHCAB) applied to the commerce ministry to amend section 17(2) (Kha) of the Import and Export Policy Order.
The policy order requires the contents of imported poultry feed to be described on the cover packaging. It must not contain melamine and antibiotics, including Chloramphenicol and Nitrofuran. A clearance certificate from the exporting country saying it does not contain any “genetically modified organism” is mandatory. The proposal states poultry farm owners argue against compulsory tests for poultry feed and want the section amended to withdraw existing barriers on poultry feed import.
In their application poultry farm owners said the rule hampers import of poultry feed because it takes up time and expenses, and unnecessary delays and expenses could lead to hikes in poultry feed prices, which in turn could affect the price of eggs and chicken. The fisheries and livestock ministry agreed with AHCAB’s demand and gave their consent to withdraw compulsory testing for poultry feed.
The amendment is effective immediately.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
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