Revamped import rules could mean cheaper chicken back

Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke says that the policy for the allocation of chicken back importation licences has been revamped.

"The expectation is that we will see improvements in chicken back pricing," said Clarke, who was closing the 2021-22 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

He said that the measure is part of new policy proposals brought to Cabinet by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Floyd Green, which will be implemented effective April 1. Clarke said that in revamping the chicken back importation policy, the Government "has to strike a balance between importation and local production and has to ensure that the small backyard chicken farmers are able to sell to the market. So during periods of high local supply, we have to balance imports."

"The new policy for April 1 will bring normalcy and stability to the supply and demand, while ensuring that the small backyard farmers won't be left out," he stressed.

Last year, the Integrity Commission recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries discontinue, with immediate effect, the current discriminatory process utilised to issue permits to applicants on the basis of prior importation history.

The commission also recommended that the ministry develop a formal policy that will ensure transparency and accountability in the receipt and processing of applications, as well as merit and integrity in the issuance of permits/licences for the importation of all animal products.