PRICES OF POULTRY AND CHICKEN-FEED (Help for poultry-rearers)

Mr Goh Tong Liang asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he is aware that the prices of chickens and eggs have slumped over the last six months, but that prices of chicken-feed have not gone down comparatively; and whether he proposes to take action to help the poultry-rearers.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: The hon. Member is aware, Sir, that as a result of Government's vigorous drive to increase food supplies, the prices of poultry and eggs have as compared to last July declined now by about ten per cent in the case of poultry and about 20 per cent in the case of eggs. Of course compared to April 1955 prices of poultry and eggs have come down by about 30 per cent. Prices of chicken feed, on the other hand, have declined on the average by about 10 per cent between August 1956 and March 1957.

There has lately been unfair dumping of eggs from China which has hit our poultry rearers and in order to give a chance of survival to our farmers I have ordered that all egg imports be placed under specific licensing and that as from 15th June all imported eggs, except from the Federation of Malaya, be required to bear an indelible stamp impression to show that they are imported eggs.

Mr Goh Tong Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, does it occur to the Minister that there is a class of people who specially go in for stamped eggs for cake-making?

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the requirement of stamping of imported eggs fails to alleviate the difficulties of our farmers, I shall consider further action when the need arises.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Can the Minister tell us how it is possible to stamp every one of the millions of eggs that come into the Colony every month?

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: It is not for this Government to stamp the eggs. It is for the exporting countries to stamp their eggs. We will only allow import of eggs which are stamped.

Mr Goh Tong Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister tell us what sort of eggs are being bought by hospitals, prisons and other public institutions?

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: As far as I know, Sir, all public institutions demand local fresh eggs when they call for tenders but I am aware that dealers and contractors are in the habit of mixing imported Chinese eggs which are much cheaper together with fresh eggs and therefore this requirement of stamping will show to the buying authorities what they will be getting from the contractors.