An Extraordinary gazette notification was issued on Friday declaring the maximum retail price (MRP) for eggs.
The maximum retail price of a white egg has been set at Rs.43 and a brown egg at Rs.45.
Consumer Affairs Authority orders that no Manufacturer, Producer, Supplier, Distributor or Trader shall Sell, Supply, Expose or Offer for sale, Display for sale the listed variety of eggs, exceeding the Maximum Retail Price.
The CAA said legal action will be initiated against those who sell eggs exceeding the MRP.
The All Ceylon Egg Manufacturers Association (ACEMA) yesterday said considering the current high prices of main poultry foods including maize and soya, both egg varieties cannot be sold at the gazetted prices.
The Association lamented the sudden decision taken by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) that countrywide poultry farmers should sell white eggs at Rs. 43 and brown eggs at Rs.45 from August 22 (today). ACEMA Chairman Sarath Ratnayaka told the Daily News that in addition to maize and soya which are the major poultry foods, vitamins and other related medicines, used by poultry farmers had also been increased in the open market.
He said under a such situation it is not ethical for CAA officials to demand that poultry farmers should reduce egg prices to bring relief to consumers.
He said although Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera also recognized the problems faced by poultry farmers due to the massive shortage of poultry foods such as maize and soya as well as vitamins, it is not ethical the Government to take a such decision at this juncture without considering the plight of poultry farmers.
“It takes at least five months to breed a hen to lay eggs and farmers will have to spend a massive cost to maintain a poultry farm and other labour charges including the transport of birds from one place to another.
According to reports there are over 5,000 large scale poultry farms in the country owned by companies and also individuals. Not only eggs, but chicken meat cannot be sold at the Government stipulated price of Rs.1,300 per kilo when the production cost of chicken has increased to over Rs.900 a kilo due to the unbearable prices of poultry feeds and labour charges.
Ratnayaka therefore made a fervent appeal from the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to re consider the grievances of poultry farmers and make a considerable price increase of eggs and also the price of chicken meat.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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