One-year reprieve for swiflet breeders

Saturday December 20, 2008
The Star

THE state government has brought good as well as bad news to swif-let breeders operating in residential premises in Penang.

They can continue with their operations for another one year as it has extended the three-year moratorium which will expire end of the month.

This, said State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, is to enable the state to review the current industry policies and guidelines.

However, he said the breeders in George Town’s heritage area must put a stop to the playing of the swiftlet song recordings.

“They must also tear down all illegal extensions.

“During the extension period, all new applications for swiftlet breeding licenses will be frozen until new guidelines and policies are formulated,” he said in a statement yesterday. Abdul Malik said the one-year extension was decided by the newly-established Swiftlet Industry Management Committee which met on Dec 11.

He said the extension was to enable the committee to study the current guidelines and policies and make the necessary amendments.

He said two new sub-committees had also been created to study the short and long-term management of the swiftlet industry.

“The Swiftlet Industry Technical Management Committee (short term) will be handled by the state’s Local Government unit and will concentrate on helping swiftlet operators deal with the new deadline.

“The long-term committee, on the other hand, will be put under the Veterinary Services Depart-ment and it will be responsible for studying the relocation of swiftlet breeding areas to more appropriate locations like an eco-park or agricultural zone,” he said.

A ban on swiftlet breeding activities in residential premises was announced in November 2005 and operators who could not comply with the regulations were given three years to relocate.

There are currently more than 100 breeders still operating from houses in George Town.