FPCCI Press conference about Tax on Milk and concerns over Fresh Milk, DCFA Pakistan reacted
The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry has raised concerns over tax on packaged milk. During the FPCCI press conference, they said that packaged milk has become out of reach of the public due to the tax on milk. This will benefit the open milk market. The open milk market, which is 95 percent, will also put an additional burden on the public by increasing its price. They further stated that open milk has quality and hygiene issues. Tax on packaged milk will deprive people of quality milk.
DCFA Reaction on FPCCI Press Conference
On the other hand, the President of the Dairy and Cattle Farmers Association of Pakistan Shakir Umar Gujjar has expressed a strong reaction to the press conference of FPCCI. In a statement from DCFA Pakistan, it has been said that FPCCI should not be part of the campaign against fresh milk.
Shakir Umar says that we are not in favor of taxing packaged milk. Increasing the price of packaged milk will put an additional burden on consumers. Further, we are also not against the processing of milk, it is necessary that milk processors collect milk from farmers. But we will not tolerate the campaign against fresh milk. He showed serious concerns over the tax on milk specially tax on packaged milk.
Shakir Umar Gujar said that the campaign against fresh milk is a campaign to destroy farmers. Sometimes advertisements are run on national and social media by the Pakistan Medical Association and sometimes by TV anchors. In this campaign, they declare fresh milk as dirty while presenting packaged milk as safe. PEMRA has issued a decision to stop the campaign against fresh milk. An advertising campaign against fresh milk promotes one product over another in the name of public awareness. FPCCI should not be part of this misleading campaign.
Shakir Umar said that he condemned the statement made against open milk in the press conference of FPCCI. Shakir Umar said that to increase the market of packaged milk, milk companies should resort to positive marketing instead of calling fresh milk dirty or campaigning against it.
کمپنیاں ڈیری فارمرز کو کیسے تباہ کرتی ہیں؟ پاکستان کے ڈیری سیکٹر پر کارپوریٹ حملے کی تفصیلات
Tax on Milk and Fresh Milk Price
Shakir Umar said that FPCCI is giving the impression that the increase in the price of fresh milk is due to the increase in the price of packaged milk, while the reality is the opposite. Due to taxes on dairy feed and other inputs in the recent budget, the production cost of milk has increased, which has increased the price of milk. Dairy farmers are in a difficult situation right now. The FPCCI should also raise its voice against taxes on dairy feed and other inputs. FPCCI should also talk about the 98% farmer of Pakistan who is the guarantor of the country’s food security. The federation is also representative of small traders and small farmers.
Shakir Umar says that we are against any type of Tax on the Milk or dairy industry. We are also not in favour of tax on packaged milk. Tax on milk will increase malnutrition. Shakir Umar demanded that all taxes on the dairy industry be abolished.
