Leaders of both the associations claimed that they deserve the authorisation from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to do it, reports the Financial Express.

Poultry and breeders industry owners can import duty-free machinery for local farms. According to the customs rules, the association leaders have to ensure that the duty-free machinery is installed in the industry properly.

The association leaders have to issue a certificate after inspection of farms on proper use of the duty-free machinery.

Earlier, the revenue board gave the permission to the poultry association to inspect factories and issue certificates within six months of import for ensuring proper use of the duty-free machinery.

In the current fiscal budget, the authorisation has been shifted to the breeders' association following a request of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

After shifting of the authority, the Bangladesh Poultry Industry Association (BPIA) leaders reacted sharply claiming that some small industries and marginal farmers were facing problems with getting certificates after the change of rules.

Recently, at a meeting the poultry industry leaders raised the issue and urged the customs authority to re-introduce the previous system by giving back the authority to them.

Former poultry industry association president Kaiser Rahman said: "It is an unnecessary change as it hurts the small farmers."

"Small farmers cannot afford to be members of the breeders association as it comprises all big firms with quite a large membership fee. As far as I know, they are facing a problem with getting certificates from the breeders association," he said.

The poultry industry association includes all associations related to poultry, dairy and fisheries farms.