Muladno Livestock and Animal Health Director-General
For the Breeders' Benefit

THE agriculture ministry has been blamed for knowing about an alleged chicken cartel among 12 breeding companies. Livestock and animal health director-general at the ministry, Muladno witnessed the agreement signed by breeding firms to conduct early culling. In a circular signed by Muladno at the end of November 2015, the circular also set the percentage of breeding chickens that had to be culled by each firm. Instead of returning to a stable price level, however, the price of day-old chickens and that of live ones soared after the two million chickens were slaughtered. "To achieve balance and normal prices, the only method is early culling," Muladno told Tempo reporter Ayu Prima Sandi over the telephone last week. Muladno was in Yogyakarta when the interview was held.

February 16, 2016