Agriculture
Malawi’s poultry producers bemoan smuggling
December 03, 2020 / Brown Mdalla
Poultry Industry Association of Malawi (PIAM) has expressed worry over the increase in cases of illegal poultry importation, the conduct the institution says weighs on business for local farmers and government’s revenue collection.
PIAM, which is the mother body of all poultry associations in Malawi has expressed the concern following the increase in the number of cases of illegal importation of poultry and poultry products. The organization says, if the malpractice is not checked, it might have grave effects on local poultry industry and the national economy.
PIAM Technical Advisor Eric Chuma lamented the organization receives reports of people bringing into the country birds from other countries every week.
He said most people smuggling chickens into the country sell the birds at cheaper prices than those produced locally which negatively impacts on business for local farmers.
Chuma revealed that smugglers use unchartered routes thereby evading import duty which is a loss to the country in terms of revenue collection.
“As a country, we should vigilantly ensure that illegal poultry importation is halted. The practice is killing the local poultry industry and impacting negatively on collection of taxes,” said Chuma.
Most chickens are smuggled from Zambia and are locally offloaded in Lilongwe at Area 25, Mtandire, Mtsiliza and Kauma. While in the North, the birds are offloaded at Mzimba boma and Jenda.
Chuma, however, expressed optimism that the issue will be addressed saying his organization is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Police and Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to arrest the situation.
He asked local consumers to support the local poultry industry which, he said, contributes about 11% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
There are also worries that illegal poultry importation may lead to transfer of infectious diseases into the country.
Meanwhile, PIAM has asked the Malawi Government to remove tax on the importation of products used in poultry production in order to support the local industry.
“PIAM believes that if products used in poultry farming are cheaper, cases of smuggling of chickens will be minimized because the local products will sell at cheaper prices compared to imports,” he said.
Police in Mchinji recently intercepted trucks smuggling poultry into Malawi from Zambia.
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