Experts, farmers raise alarm over poultry import ban
Staff Reporter :
Industry experts and poultry farmers have raised serious concerns over the government’s proposed ban on importing day-old chicks (DOC) for commercial poultry farming, warning that the move could trigger a food security crisis.
The concerns come in response to the draft National Poultry Development Policy-2026, published by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on January 13.
Section 5.8.1.2 of the draft states that the import of day-old chicks for commercial purposes will be prohibited, allowing only “Grandparent Stock” and, in exceptional cases of extreme shortage, “Parent Stock” to be imported.
While the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) says the policy aims to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen domestic production, industry stakeholders argue that the timing is premature.
The Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA) highlighted that the domestic poultry sector currently depends on a limited number of companies.
“If a major outbreak like Bird Flu hits these facilities, production could halt immediately,” a BPIA representative said.
Without the option to import chicks, such an event could lead to severe shortages of broiler and layer chickens and a sharp increase in consumer prices.
Experts emphasize that poultry is a critical and affordable source of protein for low- and middle-income families in Bangladesh.
Agriculturist Anjan Majumdar, a poultry specialist, described the ban as a “triple-threat crisis,” warning that the biggest victims would be small-scale farmers and consumers. He urged the government to hold public consultations before implementing the policy.
Professor Md. Saiful Islam of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University also cautioned that the administrative process for importing poultry stock is slow and complex. Under the “case-by-case” import approval system outlined in the draft, market stabilization during a crisis could take too long.
BPIA President Mosharraf Hossain Chowdhury stressed that ensuring access to chicks at fair prices for marginal farmers should be a priority.
Professor Dr. Md. Bahanur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Bangladesh Agricultural University, added that the government currently lacks the large-scale production capacity needed to intervene if private supply chains fail.
Industry insiders further criticized the draft policy for offering no clear guidance on market management.
They warned that restricting imports could allow a few large domestic companies to form syndicates, manipulating prices and reducing competition.
Responding to the criticism, A.B.M. Khaleduzzaman, Director (Production) of the Department of Livestock Services, said the policy is intended to strengthen the poultry sector in the long term.
“We believe this policy will make the country’s poultry industry more organized and prosperous,” he said.
However, stakeholders are calling on the Ministry to revise the draft, introduce a realistic transition period, and focus on market regulation rather than an outright ban on imports.