2009/09/25
NST
By Jason Gerald John
MALACCA: Swiftlet breeders have until the end of the year to move their operations from the conservation zone in the centre of the city.
If the breeders in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Tengkera, Jalan Hang Jebat, Jalan Kampung Hulu, Jalan Laksamana and Jalan Kee Ann do not move on time, they will receive summonses and compound fines of not less than RM250.
Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) president Yusof Jantan said there were 24 swiftlet breeders operating within the conservation area.
"We have issued them notice to vacate the buildings.
"In order to assist them, MBMB has identified buildings and sites in Ujong Pasir, in Melaka Tengah district, and in Merlimau, Jasin."
He said the notices were issued last month, giving the breeders ample time to move.
"We hope the relocation will go on smoothly and without any trouble."
Yusof said the decision was made to ban swiftlet breeding in the city centre because the "hotels" are in the conservation area that earned Malacca its status a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Kelantan is largest birds' nests producer
NST
2009/09/16
KOTA BARU: Unlike most other states, breeding swiftlets for birds' nests is licensed by the state authorities in Kelantan.
The state has become one of the largest producers of birds' nests in the country.
The centre of the industry lies here and in Kuala Krai and Tumpat. And a purpose-built township for rearing swiftlets is planned in Jalan Pantai Cahaya Bulan soon.
The annual licensing fee for a swiftlet building is RM1,000 for the first floor, and RM500 each for subsequent storeys.
Unlike most breeders, Ooi Siong Hwa has chosen not to breed swiftlets in town. He has built a breeding structure in the middle of a padi field in Tumpat.
He says that though the initial investment was high -- RM300,000 -- he expects excellent returns.
A kilogramme of high quality birds' nests fetches about RM7,000. Most are exported to Hong Kong and China.
Birds' nests have been used in Chinese cuisine for over 400 years, and are believed to have medicinal value.
2009/09/16
KOTA BARU: Unlike most other states, breeding swiftlets for birds' nests is licensed by the state authorities in Kelantan.
The state has become one of the largest producers of birds' nests in the country.
The centre of the industry lies here and in Kuala Krai and Tumpat. And a purpose-built township for rearing swiftlets is planned in Jalan Pantai Cahaya Bulan soon.
The annual licensing fee for a swiftlet building is RM1,000 for the first floor, and RM500 each for subsequent storeys.
Unlike most breeders, Ooi Siong Hwa has chosen not to breed swiftlets in town. He has built a breeding structure in the middle of a padi field in Tumpat.
He says that though the initial investment was high -- RM300,000 -- he expects excellent returns.
A kilogramme of high quality birds' nests fetches about RM7,000. Most are exported to Hong Kong and China.
Birds' nests have been used in Chinese cuisine for over 400 years, and are believed to have medicinal value.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Swiftlets marring neighbourhood in Klang
Story and photo by ELAN PERUMAL
RESIDENTS in Jalan Sepat 1, Teluk Pulai, Klang, are concerned over the swiftlet rearing activity that is going on at shophouses near their houses.
Besides feeling uncomfortable, the residents also fear that the birds may spread diseases.
They also claimed that the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) has turned a deaf ear to the numerous complaints that they had made.
Checks by StarMetro revealed that a three-storey building was located near the houses and the swiftlets were kept on the first and second floors of the building.
Awkward top: An unusual structure has been built on the rooftop of this three-storey building to accommodate the swiflets.
Loud speakers have been placed on the buildings to attract the swiflets into the shophouses through the back windows.
The houses are located behind the two blocks of shophouses that are facing Jalan Teluk Pulai.
A resident, identified only as Robert, said the value of the properties in the area had dropped due to the presence of the swiflets.
He said the neighbourhood had lost its serenity since the swiftlets came into the area some years ago.
“It only started with swiftlets at two lots but the number has grown to more than 10 shoplots over recent years.
“The operators of the business are making money at our expense and I don’t understand why the council is allowing this to happen,’’ he said.
Housewife Beng Lee, 49, said the activity caused noise pollution produced through the loud speakers that were on from 6am to 8.30pm daily.
She said the residents were tired of listening to the chirping of the birds.
“We are forced to keep our windows and doors closed at all times,’’ she said
Another resident, who only wished to be identified as Billy, said the presence of the birds also produced a stench.
He said the bird droppings were also marring the area and they were worried about health aspects
Friday, September 11, 2009
SWIFTLETS: No need to worry about bird flu
NST
2009/09/11
MOHD HAIZUL HO DFor the Secretary-General, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Putrajaya
THE Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) appreciates the concern over the health issues surrounding swiftlet hotels that were highlighted by T.C. Ti of Bentong ("A health hazard not many are aware of" -- NST, Sept 9).
The edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) is protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 [Act 76].
It is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and is commonly mistaken for swallows.
The swiftlet is slightly smaller in size; free-flying, perching only at its nest and nowhere else.
This is one of the species which is known to have commercial value throughout the world.
The DWNP would like to clarify that the operation of bird houses is under the jurisdiction of local councils. However, the DWNP issues the harvesting, business and import/export licence.
The swiftlet is not a carrier of the bird flu disease, confirmed from the sampling conducted by the relevant agency.
Bird house operators practise cleanliness and systematic harvesting. If not properly managed or harvested, the swiftlets would not return to the bird house.
2009/09/11
MOHD HAIZUL HO DFor the Secretary-General, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Putrajaya
THE Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) appreciates the concern over the health issues surrounding swiftlet hotels that were highlighted by T.C. Ti of Bentong ("A health hazard not many are aware of" -- NST, Sept 9).
The edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) is protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 [Act 76].
It is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and is commonly mistaken for swallows.
The swiftlet is slightly smaller in size; free-flying, perching only at its nest and nowhere else.
This is one of the species which is known to have commercial value throughout the world.
The DWNP would like to clarify that the operation of bird houses is under the jurisdiction of local councils. However, the DWNP issues the harvesting, business and import/export licence.
The swiftlet is not a carrier of the bird flu disease, confirmed from the sampling conducted by the relevant agency.
Bird house operators practise cleanliness and systematic harvesting. If not properly managed or harvested, the swiftlets would not return to the bird house.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Swiftlet farming will boost economy
THE Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) appreciates the concern highlighted in “It’s time to ban farming of swiftlets” (The Star, Aug 28).
Edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) is currently protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 [Act 76]. It is widely distributed in the South-East Asian region and commonly mistaken for swallows.
The swiftlet is slightly smaller in size and is free flying, perching only at its nest and nowhere else.
This is one of the species which is known to have commercial value throughout the world. Due to that, many venture into this industry and bird-houses have mushroomed throughout peninsular Malaysia, especially in the urban areas.
In order to lure the swiftlets into the house, the bird-house operator will set up speakers playing bird sounds outside and inside the house.
Currently the DWNP, together with related agencies and with cooperation from Bird Nest Association, is revising the guidelines on time usage to play the audio.
A sampling conducted by a related agency shows that the swiftlet is not a carrier of the bird flu disease.
The bird-houses are regularly cleaned as the swiftlets prefer a clean environment. Bird-house operators also practise systematic harvesting of bird nests, done only when the fledglings have left the nest to fend for themselves.
Currently, the DWNP is conducting research under the 9th Malaysia Plan for the sustainable management and conservation on the species. The results will help the DWNP in conserving this species, and at the same time benefit Malaysians and the country’s economy.
DR AMERJIT SINGH,
For Secretary-General,
Natural Resources and Environment Ministry,
Putrajaya.
Edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) is currently protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 [Act 76]. It is widely distributed in the South-East Asian region and commonly mistaken for swallows.
The swiftlet is slightly smaller in size and is free flying, perching only at its nest and nowhere else.
This is one of the species which is known to have commercial value throughout the world. Due to that, many venture into this industry and bird-houses have mushroomed throughout peninsular Malaysia, especially in the urban areas.
In order to lure the swiftlets into the house, the bird-house operator will set up speakers playing bird sounds outside and inside the house.
Currently the DWNP, together with related agencies and with cooperation from Bird Nest Association, is revising the guidelines on time usage to play the audio.
A sampling conducted by a related agency shows that the swiftlet is not a carrier of the bird flu disease.
The bird-houses are regularly cleaned as the swiftlets prefer a clean environment. Bird-house operators also practise systematic harvesting of bird nests, done only when the fledglings have left the nest to fend for themselves.
Currently, the DWNP is conducting research under the 9th Malaysia Plan for the sustainable management and conservation on the species. The results will help the DWNP in conserving this species, and at the same time benefit Malaysians and the country’s economy.
DR AMERJIT SINGH,
For Secretary-General,
Natural Resources and Environment Ministry,
Putrajaya.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
SWIFTLETS: Spare a thought for the birds
NST
2009/09/03
M.GANESHADEVA, Kuala Lumpur
IT is rather sad that in the frenzied rush to make a fortune from swiftlet nests, the welfare and well-being of the birds are often neglected ("Fortune nest" -- NST, Aug 23).
It is not wrong to collect the nests after the eggs have been hatched (after nesting for about five weeks) and the young swiftlets have been raised to maturity after a fledgling period of about three months. By then, the birds no longer need the nest.
Some swiftlet rearers, however, do not have the patience to wait that long and take the nests when the young swiftlets are not mature enough to fly or before the eggs are hatched, or even before the eggs are laid.
The birds should be allowed to live as natural a life as possible. It is cruel to take away the nest while the eggs or the young swiftlets are still in the nest because it causes undue anxiety and stress to the parents. Taking away the eggs and artificially hatching and feeding the young swiftlets is unnatural and cruel from an animal welfare standpoint.
The birds are unlike commercially reared broiler chicken, where the broodiness and mothering instincts have been eliminated through centuries of selective breeding. These are free-living wild birds with strong brooding and mothering instincts.
The male and female swiftlets, after mating, are paired for life (unless one of the pair dies earlier). Both help in building the nest and feeding the young swiftlets with insects. They are able to locate their individual nest in dark caves among thousands of other nests by using sonar.
More importantly, they are capable of feeling stress and anxiety when agitated. It is an offence under the Animal Protection Act 1960 to cause unnecessary pain or distress to an animal or bird.
Take the nest by all means after the birds have used and vacated the nests, but let them live as natural a life as possible as they would in the wild as a gratitude for the riches they bestow on you.
2009/09/03
M.GANESHADEVA, Kuala Lumpur
IT is rather sad that in the frenzied rush to make a fortune from swiftlet nests, the welfare and well-being of the birds are often neglected ("Fortune nest" -- NST, Aug 23).
It is not wrong to collect the nests after the eggs have been hatched (after nesting for about five weeks) and the young swiftlets have been raised to maturity after a fledgling period of about three months. By then, the birds no longer need the nest.
Some swiftlet rearers, however, do not have the patience to wait that long and take the nests when the young swiftlets are not mature enough to fly or before the eggs are hatched, or even before the eggs are laid.
The birds should be allowed to live as natural a life as possible. It is cruel to take away the nest while the eggs or the young swiftlets are still in the nest because it causes undue anxiety and stress to the parents. Taking away the eggs and artificially hatching and feeding the young swiftlets is unnatural and cruel from an animal welfare standpoint.
The birds are unlike commercially reared broiler chicken, where the broodiness and mothering instincts have been eliminated through centuries of selective breeding. These are free-living wild birds with strong brooding and mothering instincts.
The male and female swiftlets, after mating, are paired for life (unless one of the pair dies earlier). Both help in building the nest and feeding the young swiftlets with insects. They are able to locate their individual nest in dark caves among thousands of other nests by using sonar.
More importantly, they are capable of feeling stress and anxiety when agitated. It is an offence under the Animal Protection Act 1960 to cause unnecessary pain or distress to an animal or bird.
Take the nest by all means after the birds have used and vacated the nests, but let them live as natural a life as possible as they would in the wild as a gratitude for the riches they bestow on you.
No short-term gains from swiftlet farming
A reader wrote to The Star
I REFER to the various articles on swiftlet farming as well as letters from the CAP and Dennis Gong “Swiftlets are a real hygenic lot” (The Star, Sept 2).
Being an expert in swiftlet farming, I would like to give a few pointers.
The species Aerodramus fuciphagus do not litter their droppings. Their droppings are only within the birdhouse. Extensive droppings in many towns are not from these swiftlets but from mud swallows that make their nest underneath shophouses.
Indeed, swiftlets are hygienic and do not mix with other birds. The moment they fly out of the bird-house, they will not touch the ground until they return to the bird-house. Swiftlets also prey on harmful insects, like fruit flies etc, and can increase the yield of farmers and reduce the use of pesticides. They are natural pest control agents.
However, in the long term, it is important that swiftlet houses are not located in shophouses in town centres due to aesthetics and noise pollution. They should be stand-alone units within agricultural areas.
They should also be located about 40km away from airports as they could pose a danger to planes.
Apart from that, swiftlet houses should conform to good farming practices as outlined by the Ministry of Agriculture.
As swiftlet farming is now increasingly seen as a financial gold mine, there are a few pointers potential investors must understand.
One disturbing trend is the development of huge bird-house complexes in one location. These are sold as units to potential buyers on the claim that these bird-houses will be filled with birds within a short time.
It is very unlikely that such huge bird-houses of hundreds of units can be filled within a short time. It will take 10 to 20 years or more for these massive bird-houses to be filled due to the slow natural population growth of the swiftlets in that particular locality.
As such, potential investors should make in-depth studies and consult experts in swiftlet farming before investing as the failure rate is more than 70%. The million ringgit investment may yield zero returns.
Apart from that, there are other quick-get-rich schemes using swiftlet farming as a front for their scam. Swiftlet farming entails a low initial return of one to five years, peaking only in the seventh to 10th year.
As such, it is impossible for the operators to give immediate 3% to 5% returns per month.
NATURE LOVER,
Kuala Lumpur.
I REFER to the various articles on swiftlet farming as well as letters from the CAP and Dennis Gong “Swiftlets are a real hygenic lot” (The Star, Sept 2).
Being an expert in swiftlet farming, I would like to give a few pointers.
The species Aerodramus fuciphagus do not litter their droppings. Their droppings are only within the birdhouse. Extensive droppings in many towns are not from these swiftlets but from mud swallows that make their nest underneath shophouses.
Indeed, swiftlets are hygienic and do not mix with other birds. The moment they fly out of the bird-house, they will not touch the ground until they return to the bird-house. Swiftlets also prey on harmful insects, like fruit flies etc, and can increase the yield of farmers and reduce the use of pesticides. They are natural pest control agents.
However, in the long term, it is important that swiftlet houses are not located in shophouses in town centres due to aesthetics and noise pollution. They should be stand-alone units within agricultural areas.
They should also be located about 40km away from airports as they could pose a danger to planes.
Apart from that, swiftlet houses should conform to good farming practices as outlined by the Ministry of Agriculture.
As swiftlet farming is now increasingly seen as a financial gold mine, there are a few pointers potential investors must understand.
One disturbing trend is the development of huge bird-house complexes in one location. These are sold as units to potential buyers on the claim that these bird-houses will be filled with birds within a short time.
It is very unlikely that such huge bird-houses of hundreds of units can be filled within a short time. It will take 10 to 20 years or more for these massive bird-houses to be filled due to the slow natural population growth of the swiftlets in that particular locality.
As such, potential investors should make in-depth studies and consult experts in swiftlet farming before investing as the failure rate is more than 70%. The million ringgit investment may yield zero returns.
Apart from that, there are other quick-get-rich schemes using swiftlet farming as a front for their scam. Swiftlet farming entails a low initial return of one to five years, peaking only in the seventh to 10th year.
As such, it is impossible for the operators to give immediate 3% to 5% returns per month.
NATURE LOVER,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Swallow breeders to move 40km away from airport
OH ING YEEN
at Sepang Municipal Council full board meeting
WHILE birds’ nests are considered a delicacy for some, swiftlets flying into the airplane’s engines as it takes off is a nuisance and a safety hazard.
According to Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) president Azizan Mohamad Sidin, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) guidelines state that swiftlet farmers must be outside the 40km radius of the KL International Airport (KLIA).
“It is dangerous when the birds fly into the engines as the planes take off as the planes may crash.
“The guidelines say that it has to be done on agriculture land. We won’t allow the activity in shoplots or abandoned buildings.
“There are those that are located within a 10km radius from the airport. We suggest that they relocate to Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor, or Sabak Bernam. We can’t be harsh on them because they have to make a living but we have the public safety in mind,” he said.
There will be a meeting with the members of the Sepang Swiftlet Entrepreneurs Association next week to discuss the matter.
at Sepang Municipal Council full board meeting
WHILE birds’ nests are considered a delicacy for some, swiftlets flying into the airplane’s engines as it takes off is a nuisance and a safety hazard.
According to Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) president Azizan Mohamad Sidin, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) guidelines state that swiftlet farmers must be outside the 40km radius of the KL International Airport (KLIA).
“It is dangerous when the birds fly into the engines as the planes take off as the planes may crash.
“The guidelines say that it has to be done on agriculture land. We won’t allow the activity in shoplots or abandoned buildings.
“There are those that are located within a 10km radius from the airport. We suggest that they relocate to Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor, or Sabak Bernam. We can’t be harsh on them because they have to make a living but we have the public safety in mind,” he said.
There will be a meeting with the members of the Sepang Swiftlet Entrepreneurs Association next week to discuss the matter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
