KUALA LUMPUR: Subsidies and price controls on chicken have been lifted effective today to enable the government to enhance various socio-economic initiatives and welfare programmes, including cash assistance.

Despite the removal of price controls, the government guarantees that there will be no sudden price hikes for this essential commodity and assures the public of a consistent and sufficient supply.

On Monday, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the government had allocated RM3.8 billion for chicken and egg subsidies since February 2022.

He said the rationale for ending bulk subsidies for chicken was to reduce leakages of subsidies, which were also enjoyed by foreigners and high-income groups.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM), through its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), said the government could save RM100 million per month by floating chicken prices.

Besides implementing various initiatives for the people, these savings can also be used to provide incentives in terms of revolving fund financing to small and medium-sized breeders and microcredit schemes as working capital assistance to community farmers.

To ensure that chicken prices remain competitive and do not burden the people, especially those in rural areas, the government said it will continue organising the Agro MADANI and Rahmah Sales programme nationwide.

The government also assured that it will conduct regular monitoring of chicken prices from farms to retail outlets, which will be jointly carried out by KPKM and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.

Meanwhile, the government agreed to continue providing subsidies for Grade A, B and C eggs according to the existing mechanism.

-- BERNAMA