Not easy to make the right choice

Friday October 30, 2009
The Star


SWITLFETS make their nests using interwoven strands of their saliva.

The gelatinous and semi-transparent substance is much sought after by the Chinese for its rich nutrients that are said to enhance one’s health and beauty.

They are easily available in most Chinese medicine halls as bottled nests in sugary soup and boxes of whole nests.

Malaysian Federation of Associations of Bird’s Nests Merchants secretary Mah Swee Lye, shared some tips on how to choose the bird’s nests.


photo: A swiftlet sitting on a nest.

First and foremost, no two bird’s nests are the same.

“If they are genuine ones made by the swiftlets, their shapes and sizes vary,” he said.

Secondly, they retain a fishy smell.

“Flies are attracted to the pile of nests we harvested, showing that genuine bird’s nests really do have an odour,” Mah said.

Thirdly, the whiter it is, the more cautious one should be because it might have been bleached.

“It’s okay if the nest contains tiny bits of feather — this is a sure sign that the nest is made by swiftlets,” Mah said.

While it is not easy to differentiate genuine and fake bird’s nests just by looking, he advised consumers to shop for reliable brands.

Industry players want more govt support

Friday October 30, 2009
The Star
By THO XIN YI


SWIFTLET farming is gaining popularity in the country with many entrepreneurs setting up houses for the birds.

In Selangor alone, there are about 2,000 “hotels” for the swiftlets to build their nests.

One striking feature of the multistorey buildings is the absence of doors and ventilation holes.

Malaysian Federation of Associations of Bird’s Nests Merchants secretary Mah Swee Lye said the industry made its presence felt in the country about 10 years ago.

“Swiftlets began inhabiting vacant shoplots, to the surprise of the owners.

“Gradually, we picked up the know-how from our Indonesian counterparts, who have been in the business for at least 80 years, and brought the knowledge back here,” he said.

Currently, Indonesia still tops the bird’s nest supply chain by catering to 80% of the demand worldwide, followed by Malaysia, Thailand and other South-East Asian countries.

“The competition is intense. A swiftlet farmer needs both expertise and luck to succeed,” Mah said.

The owners of the bird houses do not actually rear the swiftlets.

Instead, they only set up the ‘hotel’ with the right temperature (28°C) and humidity (85%) to provide a suitable habitat, and then install the swiftlet tweeters to attract the birds.

“The swiftlets usually leave the house in the morning to hunt for food, and then return in the evening.

“They can live in the same house for generations,” Mah said.

He added that harvesting the nests did not deprive the birds of a place to stay.

“Swiftlets build nests only when it is time to lay eggs and once the birds learn to fly, the nests can safely be harvested.

“The birds do not sleep in the nests but perch vertically on the wooden planks.

“If their nests have been harvested, they will make new ones when it is time for another reproductive cycle,” Mah said.

The noise and hygiene issues of the industry often draw criticism and objections from the public, but Mah said a responsible farmer could eliminate these potential problems.

“The speakers should be positioned in such a way that they face the sky instead of the opposite buildings, and they should be switched off at night.

“A bird house should also be cleaned every two weeks to clear the faeces but some operators have the misconception that the smell attracts more birds,” he said.

Mah said the bird droppings made good fertiliser.

Nevertheless, the federation is pushing for the new guidelines to be implemented to achieve a win-win situation for the operators and the public.

“The federation’s chairman, Datuk Beh Heng Seong, has recently launched the guidelines in Kedah.

“One of the clauses is that new bird houses can only be constructed in light industrial areas, agricultural land and city outskirts,” Mah said.

He also hoped that the federal government could support and legalise the industry nationwide as the operators had difficulty in obtaining bank loans to start this business.

Entrepreneurs want a one-stop centre

Friday October 30, 2009
The Star
By OH ING YEEN


A one-stop centre for issuing licences and permits relating to the bird’s nest industry will benefit entrepreneurs if it is given the green light.

This was one of the resolutions discussed by the Asia Bird’s Nest Conference recently.

Currently, the farmers have to apply for a premises licence from the local council to build the bird house and then apply for a harvesting licence from the Wildlife Department.


Photo: Learning experience: The participants were also shown different types of bird’s nests at the event.

More than 250 participants from various states took part in the two-day swiftlet workshop held at the Paya Indah Wetlands, Dengkil.

It was the third and last in a series of workshops that began in 2008.

The objective of the workshop was to get feedback from participants who had ventured into the industry and to discuss the problems they face and come up with solutions.

Other resolutions that were discussed include:

·URGING the government to prepare complete guidelines for the industry;

lResearch collaboration bet-ween the government and industry players should be created or continued and government consultancy services provided, if needed; and

lrecognisING the industry as an expanding one to market the products through a standardised brand name.

Halim Kepol, 44, from Batu Pahat, got to know about the industry from friends and the Internet and has spent RM135,000 building a bird house.

“I’m interested in this industry as I feel it has the potential to succeed.

“The workshop provided us a platform to discuss swiftlet-related issues and I’ve learnt a lot from the workshops,” he said.

Another participant Abu Hussin, a retiree, said the swiftlet business was booming in Alor Gajah, Malacca.

“It’s a good opportunity as there is guidance and aid provided for swiftlet nest entrepreneurs.

“Moreover, there’s not much competition and the risk is low,” he said.

Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Rasid Samsudin said Perhilitan’s role was mainly in conservation.

When asked for his comments about Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s call to ban swiftlet farming, he said the industry should not be discouraged but should be controlled.

“It has to be done on agricultural land, away from the urban areas,” he said.

A total of 16 public awareness programmes have been carried out from 2008 till June this year.

Three-month freeze on new licences in Sepang

Friday October 30, 2009
The Star


MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAB) will carry out a three-month Environmental Impact Study on swiftlets and its impact on bird strikes, Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) Town Planning director Yunus Kashib said after the MPSp fullboard meeting recently.

“MAB will do a comparison study of different airports such as those in East Malaysia as well as Indonesia, where the swiftlet industry is booming.

“There were two incidents where swiftlets were the cause, but only a DNA report, which will take three months, will determine which species was the actual culprit.

“The current licence holders can continue their activities but the council will not issue new licences for the time being,” he said.

Agro sector a main gainer with RM6bil allocation

Saturday October 24, 2009
The Star


THE agriculture sector remains one of the top recipients with a RM6bil allocation:

·RM149mil to develop food farming industry such as fruits, vegetables, organic farming, herbs, seaweed and swiftlet nests;

Foundation for new economic model

Friday October 23, 2009
The Star


THE Budget 2010 lays the foundation for the new economic model and the formulation of the 10th Malaysia Plan.

It focuses on moving the nation to a high-income economy by strengthening the private sector as an engine of growth, creating skillful and talented workforce, intensifying research and development activities and promoting innovation and creativity.

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The main thrust of agriculture development is to enable the sector to become a major source of economic growth. And the emphasis will be on aquaculture, swiftlet bird’s nest production, floriculture, deep-sea fishing and seaweed production.

Swiftlet Farms to Stay

By OH ING YEEN
14 OCt 2009

THERE is a boom in swiftlet farming in Sepang, but the authorities are concerned that some of these birds may get in the way of aircraft using the KL International Airport (KLIA).
The Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp), which had stopped issuing permits for swiftlet breeding in the municipality, had directed the breeders to move 40km away from KLIA as there have been cases of birds getting sucked into the engines when they fly too close to the aircraft.

The Sepang Swiftlets Merchants Association (SSMA), meanwhile, argue that the birds which get tangled in the aircraft engines are not swiftlets, thus there is no basis for the swiftlet farmers to relocate.

MPSp president Azizan Mohamad Sidin said the laws pertaining to swiftlet breeding were clear and the farmers must comply with the ruling.

“The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) guidelines state that swiftlet farmers must operate outside the 40km radius of the KL International Airport (KLIA).
“It is dangerous when the birds fly into the engines especially during take-off as it can cause the aircraft to crash,” said Azizan.

ISSMA secretary Mah Swee Lye said during a meeting held last week with MPSp and Malaysia Airport Berhad (MAB), it was decided that the existing swiftlet farmers did not have to relocate.
“The airport authorities suspect that the birds getting tangled into aircraft were swiftlets but there was no proof from Perhilitan to back their claims.

“It will take between two and three years for a DNA report to determine the species of birds that get tangled in the engines.

“They should get proof and provide data on how many accidents have been caused by swiftlets before asking the farmers to relocate,” he said.

Business as usual: An aircraft flying over a swiftlet farm near Sungai Pelek, Sepang.
According to Mah, there are about 100 swiftlet breeders in Sepang and Kuala Langat.
“The existing farmers in Sepang will carry on with their farming but there is a temporary freeze on permits for new breeders.

“In Palembang and Surabaya, Indonesia, there are more swiftlet farmers there but there are no complaints,” he said.

According to information provided by the council, MAB will conduct an in-depth study on the effects of swiftlet breeding on KLIA. They will appoint consultants and present the study to the airport authorities.

MAB will also collect data on birds getting tangled in the engines of aircraft in Kuching and Sibu and also airports in Indonesia.

With the cooperation of the association, the council will obtain data of the exact location of swiftlet farms in Sepang.

This is to identify the number of swiftlets and its colonies in Sepang.
Meanwhile, MPSp councillor Lau Weng Chan felt that swiftlet farming should not be allowed near airports.

“It is too risky. And it won’t be good if foreigners know that swiftlets or any other birds are near the airports,” she said.

Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said while it had yet to be proven whether swiftlets were the species of birds getting tangled in aircraft around the KLIA area, it might contribute to the risk.

“In aviation, we have to take all precautionary measures. Bird strike is treated seriously because it causes damage to aircraft.

“Migratory birds are one of the factors especially when they fly from south to north. ” he said.

Difficult to Implement 40KM no swiftlet farms zone

Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) president Azizan Mohd Sidin said although 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 would be difficult to implement.

Currently, swiftlet farmers carry out their activities in shoplots and abandoned buildings in Sungei Pelek and in villages in Bagan Lalang, both areas in close proximity to the international airport.

“We will be having a discussion with the airport authorities on how best to solve the problem as swiftlet farming is going to be a safety hazard,’’ he told the board.

Azizan said if the farmers were forced to follow the guidelines, most of them would be pushing themselves into areas outside the Sepang jurisdiction like Kuala Langat and Port Dickson.

He said the farmers had to make a living but the council would definitely not allow the activities to be conducted in abandoned buildings and shoplots as the guidelines say that it had to be done on agriculture land.