Chairman of the Pakistan Broiler Farmers Association (PBFA), Rana Abdul Sattar, expressed these views while talking to APP on Sunday (2 February). He said the cost of a one-day-old chick was only Rs 20 but the companies were supplying it at Rs 45 to 50 per bird to farmers. He said feed rates were very high but the quality was not up to the mark. According to The Nation, the companies are earning billions of rupees.

For these reasons, broiler meat is being supplied at high rates to people. He said the price control committee was doing a good job and it was the only body capable of controlling high prices of feed and chicks. He informed the press that around 30,000 poultry farms had been closed down due to these problems.

He said that 50 per cent of the country's protein needs were being met by white meat which was low-priced and cholesterol-free.

Mr Sattar said that poultry contributed six per cent of the total 12 per cent share of livestock to the national gross domestic production (GDP). He proposed the formation of a board of all departments concerning the poultry industry, that is, feed, hatchery, medicine, Broiler Farmers Association and Brokers.

The Nation reports that poultry matters should be settled in board meetings under the supervision of director general livestock. Major production of broiler farming, feed mills, hatcheries etc. are in the surrounding districts of Lahore and the office of the poultry director should be in Lahore instead of in Rawalpindi.