COLOMBO (NewsRadio); A total of two million eggs procured from India has reached the island.
The State Trading (General) Corporation said the first batch of imported eggs will be released only after necessary tests, which will be conducted by the Ministry of Health.
The consignment of eggs was initially scheduled to arrive in late February but was delayed on a number of occasions owing to certification matters.
The government arrived at a decision to import eggs after the rapid increase in prices of eggs in the local market and also due to the shortage of eggs.
The Ministry of Trade noted the imported eggs will not be sold in the open market but will be given to hoteliers and food manufacturers.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture issued directives to relevant officials to expeditiously prepare a series of guidelines on how imported eggs should be handled by those in the bakery industry.
It was recommended that gloves are used when handling imported eggs and eggshells are safely disposed, ensuring that the remaining eggshells are not dumped on the environment under any circumstances.
The government also reduced the special commodity levy imposed on imported eggs from Rs. 50 to Rs. 1 for a period of three months in February.
Accordingly, imported eggs are expected to be sold for Rs. 40 each.
