Cabinet approval has been granted for the State Trading (General) Corporation to import maize to meet the demand for poultry feed production.

According to the list of cabinet decisions announced by the Department of Government Information (DGI) today (Dec. 19), the decision has been reached as a temporary measure to overcome the shortage of raw materials required for the production of poultry feed due to insufficient stocks of maize available in the market.

Accordingly, the Department of Animal Production and Health has issued the relevant permit to the STC to import 15,000 MT of maize.

Approval for pvt. sector to import GR11 rice

In addition, Cabinet Ministers have also approved a proposal to permit the private sector to import 50,000 metric tons of GR11 rice, a substitute for Keeri Samba.

The proposal has been presented by the Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Nalin Fernando.

The  decision has been taken in a bid to establish competitive pricing for Keeri Samba and Samba rice in the local market, aiming at providing consumer relief.

18 million eggs to be imported before Dec. 31

Meanwhile, the Cabinet also granted approval to continue the import of eggs from India due to the increase in egg prices in the local market.

A total of 155 million eggs have been imported to the country so far and a further stock of 18 million eggs will be imported before December 31, 2023.