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.