NANTS Hails FG For Banning Imported Poultry Products

The president of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Mr Ken Ukaoha, has commended the Federal Government for banning importation of poultry products.
Ukaoha said in Lagos that the ban had encouraged the production and consumption of local breeds.
He said that there was remarkable success in wealth creation for poultry farmers and those of several other items on the prohibition list.
He said through that policy more farmers had been productively engaged.

The president of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Mr Ken Ukaoha, has commended the Federal Government for banning importation of poultry products.
Ukaoha said in Lagos that the ban had encouraged the production and consumption of local breeds.
He said that there was remarkable success in wealth creation for poultry farmers and those of several other items on the prohibition list.
He said through that policy more farmers had been productively engaged.
“The import prohibitions by the Federal Government, some years ago, have had tremendous effects on our agriculture sector.
“There is trade improvement and local productivity has risen because people have reduced their preference for imported frozen foods,’’ he said.
Ukaoha stressed that with the increasing population in the country, government should popularise local products.
The president, however, noted that the ban was not the best way to achieve sustainability.
He said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) frowns at such prohibitions and that as such the Federal Government should thread with caution.
“The Federal Government should rather apply `administrative bearers’ through quantity restrictions and tariff regulations.’’
Ukaoha praised the Federal Government on its agricultural policy, stressing that some of the policies focusing on food security were commendable.
On the challenges facing the sector, Ukaoha said that they were surmountable.
“Infrastructure is not a major challenge in poultry farming, all you need is land, the knowledge and competence.
Ukaoha said that youths should be encouraged to go into agricultural practice, especially poultry.
“I want to challenge our youths to go into poultry farming. It does not cost much to start and the requirements are at our finger tips.’’