The country's dairy farmers Monday demanded imposition of 50 per cent duty on import of powdered milk to save the local industry.
The current rate on powdered milk (excluding baby food) is 25 per cent
They also sought imposition of anti-dumping duty on imported powdered milk to encourage local farmers.
The demand came at a press conference jointly organised by the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association(BDFA) and National Dairy Development Forum(NDDF) at the National Press Club in Dhaka city.
President of BDFA Md Emran Hossain said milk production increased to 9.4 million tonnes in the country in last 8 years from 2.9 million tonnes.
He said demand for milk is 15 million tonnes. "We have a shortage of 5.6 million tonnes which we could cover within three years."
He said highly subsidised foreign powdered milk is creating unhealthy competition in the country set to destroy the local industry.
BDDF president Umme Kulsum Smrity said number of dairy farms increased to 1.2 million from 0.2 million few years back.
The government has several projects to boost dairy and meat industry.
The 50 per cent duty should be imposed on powdered milk, excluding lactose free and vegetable fat free baby food.
Milk Vitta add general manager Md Mustafizur Rahman, secretary of BDFA Shah Imran, spoke, among others.
BDFA and BDDF placed 10 points of demand for the interest of the local dairy industry.
