JASIN: Prices of fresh chicken and chicken eggs may go up after the Malaysian Family Maximum Price Control Scheme ends on Feb 4, but the government will find a mechanism to moderate it for the sake of all parties.

       Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government would review the ceiling price for chickens to ensure the welfare of consumers and breeders is taken care of.

       He said an engagement session between both parties and various relevant agencies, including the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) and farmers’ association, was held on Thursday.

       He said from the farmers’ view, the hike in livestock prices and operating costs was due to the soaring price of imported chicken feed.

       “It is not easy to keep prices low because then, farmers cannot provide supplies,” he told reporters after handing over flood relief assistance to victims housed at SMK Sungai Rambai here yesterday, according to a Bernama report.

       Nanta said the retail price for dressed chicken was set at RM9.10 per kg until Feb 4 under the price control scheme, but this move received complaints from farmers due to the costs they had to incur as well as the duration which they said was too long.

       He said the ministry would cooperate with Mafi to look for the best mechanism to check prices at the retail and wholesale levels.