Dhaka (PTI): Bangladesh may withdraw an existing ban on egg imports from countries like India, to bring down the price of the poultry product that has soared beyond the reach of consumers.
The government is expected to issue a circular allowing local importers to import eggs from the countries which are free from bird flu epidemics, the authorities indicated.
Expressing dismay at continuing high price of egg, officials said the local poultry industry has failed to make this essential protein item affordable to the consumers.
A restriction on importing egg has remained effective since 1993 to help protect and develop the local poultry industries.
This week, four eggs were being sold at Tk 28 (Rs 19) in the local market, New Age newspaper reported on Sunday.
Earlier GM Enterprise, an export-import company had also submitted a proposal to the fisheries and livestock ministry for importing 10 crore pieces of eggs from India. But the local egg producers vehemently opposed the move.
The commerce ministry is keeping in touch with the livestock and fisheries ministry and other concerned agencies to monitor the local egg market, Feroz Ahmed, the commerce secretary, said.
The government would keep all the options open to bring down the price of eggs within the reach of consumers, he added.
Source : The Hindu