Provide guidelines, local authorities urged

LOCAL authorities have been urged to provide standard guidelines for licences to operate swiftlet nest farms in shoplots or commercial areas.

With bird’s nest consumption becoming popular among Malaysians, swiftlet farms are mushrooming, with about 150,000 farms nationwide.

Bird’s nest farming was introduced from Indonesia a few decades ago and this business is now booming. The local government would lose a huge income if licences are not given out.

Swiftlet nest operator Janson Gan, who has been cultivating bird’s nest in Kedah and Tanjung Malim, Perak, for the last seven years said many of these swiftlet nest operators were not aware of the procedures involved in getting the licences from the local governments.

“It is only right for operators to apply for licences to operate at shoplots. It is similar to carrying out renovations to a house,” he said.

“Many of the local authorities do not have any guidelines on this.

“The authorities checking on swiftlets farms must ensure that operators have proper water discharge outlets, that speakers are placed and that food outlets are not located nearby.
“I don’t see any problem in swiftlet farms being located in a shoplot. We are only not supposed to rear these in residential areas as the noise pollution and birds droppings could cause health problems,’’ said Gan.

He added that bird’s nest was divided into two groups — Cave Nest and House Nest.

The Cave Nest is harvested in the cave, especially in Sarawak. As the nests are harvested in the wild they are of better quality and have more nutrients. The processed birds nest can cost RM18,000 to RM20,000 per kg.

The House Nest that is harvested comercially from shoplots and buildings is about RM12,000 to RM13,000 a kg for the processed bird’s nest.

“Because of its popularity, some corporate sectors are conducting roadshows to enlighten swiftlet nest farm operators on how to apply for licences, ensure quality control and manage a farm,” said Gan.