Tuesday December 29, 2009
The Star
By MARTIN CARVALHO and ALLISON LAI
MALACCA: Swiftlet breeders operating within the historic city’s World Heritage Site heritage zones can breath a sigh of relief — the state has decided to defer the Dec 31 deadline for them to vacate the area.
The reprieve is possible because state authorities are still waiting for guidelines on swiftlet breeding at the 18th century Dutch-styled homes in the city’s core heritage zones.
State Rural Development and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Hidhir Abu Hasan said the situation in Malacca was different from other parts of the country because of heritage concerns.
“Swiftlet breeding and bird’s nest harvesting are regulated by the Agriculture Department and the Veterinary Services Department.
“However, we also have to consider the heritage factor because there are breeders who operate within the heritage zones,” he said.
The state decided to defer the Dec 31 deadline until the Heritage Department issued the guidelines, he said, adding that plans for a proposed relocation site for the affected operators were also on hold.
There are some 100 swiftlet breeders registered with the Malacca Bird’s Nest Merchants Association, 17 of them operating in the heritage zones.
Meanwhile, Malacca Historic City Council mayor Datuk Yusof Jantan said no new licence would be issued for those intending to convert their homes into bird breeding places in the heritage zones.
He noted that the city’s heritage zones were of particular concern to heritage authorities as they belonged to the world in general owing to its WHS status.
Malacca Bird’s Nest Merchants Association president John Chen Joon Onn said he was relieved to learn of the deferred deadline.
“The members in the heritage zones have been worried as their status remained unclear over the last several months despite several meetings with officials here.
“They were told to wait but no deadline was given,” he said.
He hoped that the Heritage Department would allow the present operators to remain in the area as a way to preserve the city’s swiftlet population.
“The birds have been a part of the historic city’s skyline over the past few centuries, even before the streets were built.
“If we get rid of them, we will also be destroying part of the city’s living heritage,” he said.
Locally harvested bird’s nests can fetch between RM1,500 and RM5,000 per kg depending on quality.
Bird’s nest harvesting has spawned a thriving industry, including manufacturing of canned drinks for the local and export markets.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Regulate, not ban swiftlet breeding, Penang urged
Tuesday December 29, 2009
The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) is urging the Penang Government to manage and regulate the business instead of closing it down, its president Carole Loh said the association was always ready to work with the state government and the authorities for a win-win solution.
“The state should consider bird nest as a natural resource and exploit its potential instead of stunting its growth,” she said.
Loh also said bird houses should not be singled out as destroying the heritage quality of the interior of buildings because for buildings other than those in Class 1 such as Khoo Kongsi, owners are required to ensure that only the facade maintains its heritage features.
“The bird nest business in the inner city has managed to restore and rehabilitate at least 8.3% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings following the repeal of the Rent Control Act in 2000,” she said.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution had on Thursday criticised the state government’s decision to extend the moratorium on the breeders saying that the move would be a breach of Unesco’s heritage management guidelines.
The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) is urging the Penang Government to manage and regulate the business instead of closing it down, its president Carole Loh said the association was always ready to work with the state government and the authorities for a win-win solution.
“The state should consider bird nest as a natural resource and exploit its potential instead of stunting its growth,” she said.
Loh also said bird houses should not be singled out as destroying the heritage quality of the interior of buildings because for buildings other than those in Class 1 such as Khoo Kongsi, owners are required to ensure that only the facade maintains its heritage features.
“The bird nest business in the inner city has managed to restore and rehabilitate at least 8.3% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings following the repeal of the Rent Control Act in 2000,” she said.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution had on Thursday criticised the state government’s decision to extend the moratorium on the breeders saying that the move would be a breach of Unesco’s heritage management guidelines.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Swiftlets part of inner city’s heritage, say breeders
Sunday December 27, 2009
The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Swiftlets have been part of inner George Town even before the area was granted Unesco World Heritage status, according to Association of Swiftlet Nest Industry (ASNI) president Carole Loh.
“These birds are Penang’s ‘living heritage’, and the fact that George Town was granted the status despite their existence means they have no impact on Unesco’s decision,
“It is not fair for the state government to force the breeders to move when they were permitted to operate under the 2005 guidelines for the Application of Licence for Birds Nest Industry, Penang,” she said yesterday.
Loh was commenting on Friday’s report stating that the one-year extension given to swiftlet breeders in Penang to continue their operation until next December would jeopardise George Town’s heritage status.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution had said that the state government’s decision to extend the moratorium on the breeders would be a breach of Unesco’s heritage management guidelines.
However, Loh explained that it was a misconception that swiftlets’ droppings would destroy the facade of heritage buildings as they only defecated inside the bird houses.
The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Swiftlets have been part of inner George Town even before the area was granted Unesco World Heritage status, according to Association of Swiftlet Nest Industry (ASNI) president Carole Loh.
“These birds are Penang’s ‘living heritage’, and the fact that George Town was granted the status despite their existence means they have no impact on Unesco’s decision,
“It is not fair for the state government to force the breeders to move when they were permitted to operate under the 2005 guidelines for the Application of Licence for Birds Nest Industry, Penang,” she said yesterday.
Loh was commenting on Friday’s report stating that the one-year extension given to swiftlet breeders in Penang to continue their operation until next December would jeopardise George Town’s heritage status.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution had said that the state government’s decision to extend the moratorium on the breeders would be a breach of Unesco’s heritage management guidelines.
However, Loh explained that it was a misconception that swiftlets’ droppings would destroy the facade of heritage buildings as they only defecated inside the bird houses.
Friday, December 25, 2009
PHT: Nay to more time for breeders
Friday December 25, 2009
The Star
By WINNIE YEOH
THE one-year extension given to swiftlet breeders in Penang to continue their operation until next December will jeopardise George Town’s heritage status and its living heritage.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution said the state government’s decision to extend the moratorium on the breeders would be a breach of Unesco’s heritage management guidelines as building guidelines and by-laws would be violated.
She explained that a swiftlet breeding house required the gutting of its interior that would destroy the heritage quality.
It was reported recently that the state executive council made the decision in its meeting on Dec 16.
Picture above: file photo of swiftlets returning to roost at dusk in a pre-war building in Penang.
Cultural Heritage Advisory Team educationist Janet Pillai said a research conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia and PHT showed that there were some 141 swiftlet breeding houses in the heritage core zone.
“These numbers do not include those in the buffer zone,” she said.
“Of the 141, 116 are heritage shophouses, 23 commercial buildings and two of unknown status.
“Only 26 are operating with licences and from October last year to this October, the Penang Municipal Council’s Building Department had issued 30 notices.
“There were eight proposals to demolish the illegal structures but only two were demolished,” she said.
She added that a report complete with statistics would be sent to the state and the National Heritage Department.
Pillai said the breeding houses usually required indoor pools to maintain humidity. This posed a serious dengue threat from mosquitos breeding in the pools while the noise from electrical tweeters was a nuisance.
Also, rodents and vermins thrived in such an environment.
“A harvest from an active bird house could rake in about RM30,000 each time,” she added.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
One more year
Wednesday December 23, 2009
The Star
SWIFLET breeders in Penang can continue their operation for another year as the state government has decided to extend the moratorium on the breeders till December next year.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council made the decision in its meeting on Dec 16.
In a statement, he said the state Veterinary Services Department and the Town and Country Planning Department were still preparing guidelines on the National Swiflet Industry.
“The state government has been advised to postpone the implementation of the guidelines until the Cabinet approves the National Swiflet Industry guidelines,” he said.
In December last year, the state government announced that the breeders could continue their operation for another year as it has extended the three-year moratorium which would expire at the end of the month.
State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the extension would enable the state to review the current industry policies and guidelines.
He said breeders in George Town’s heritage area must stop playing the swiftlet song recordings and also tear down all illegal extensions during the period.
The Star
SWIFLET breeders in Penang can continue their operation for another year as the state government has decided to extend the moratorium on the breeders till December next year.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council made the decision in its meeting on Dec 16.
In a statement, he said the state Veterinary Services Department and the Town and Country Planning Department were still preparing guidelines on the National Swiflet Industry.
“The state government has been advised to postpone the implementation of the guidelines until the Cabinet approves the National Swiflet Industry guidelines,” he said.
In December last year, the state government announced that the breeders could continue their operation for another year as it has extended the three-year moratorium which would expire at the end of the month.
State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the extension would enable the state to review the current industry policies and guidelines.
He said breeders in George Town’s heritage area must stop playing the swiftlet song recordings and also tear down all illegal extensions during the period.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Guidelines On Swiftlet Farming To Go To Cabinet Early Next Year
lDecember 22, 2009 21:57 PM
Bernama
SERDANG, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The uniform guidelines on swiftlet farming is expected to be tabled to the Cabinet early next year.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the guidelines, prepared by the Veterinary Services Department, had been completed and just waiting for the right time to be tabled to the Cabinet.
"We are also waiting for feedback from the relevant ministries," he told reporters after opening the "Usahawan Tani Muda Jaya" programme at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park here today.
Noh was commenting on the progress of the guidelines, dubbed "1GP" to tackle the problems concerning the licencing of swiftlet farms in urban areas.
It is learnt that only the Health Ministry had yet to give feedback on the guidelines.
Other ministries involved in the issue were Housing and Local Government Ministry and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
The problem concerning the licencing of swiftlet farms was reported to have hampered the edible swiftlet nest industry which had an annual turnover of RM1 billion, with China as its main market.
The licencing problem was more obvious in Sarawak as its Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1988 prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
SERDANG, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The uniform guidelines on swiftlet farming is expected to be tabled to the Cabinet early next year.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the guidelines, prepared by the Veterinary Services Department, had been completed and just waiting for the right time to be tabled to the Cabinet.
"We are also waiting for feedback from the relevant ministries," he told reporters after opening the "Usahawan Tani Muda Jaya" programme at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park here today.
Noh was commenting on the progress of the guidelines, dubbed "1GP" to tackle the problems concerning the licencing of swiftlet farms in urban areas.
It is learnt that only the Health Ministry had yet to give feedback on the guidelines.
Other ministries involved in the issue were Housing and Local Government Ministry and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
The problem concerning the licencing of swiftlet farms was reported to have hampered the edible swiftlet nest industry which had an annual turnover of RM1 billion, with China as its main market.
The licencing problem was more obvious in Sarawak as its Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1988 prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Bid To Smuggle Bird's Nest Products To Malaysia Foiled
December 16, 2009 19:14 PM
Bernama
NEW DELHI, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Two Sri Lankans who attempted to smuggle bird's nest products to Malaysia were arrested by customs officers at the Bandaranaike International airport in Sri Lanka Tuesday.
About 15,000 Wehilihiniya (Sri Lankan edible swiftlet swallow) bird's nest products weighing 44kg, were found in three bags belonging to the suspects, reported the Daily Mirror.
The consignment was worth about RM357,000.
"The suspects who entered the airport were seated near the entrance. They ran away when they saw us, but were apprehended by security officers and Customs officials," Customs deputy director Mali Piyasena told the newspaper.
He said the suspects were remanded until Dec 29, this year.
According to the Customs department, one of the suspects was detained last August for trying to smuggle out 38kg of Wehilihiniya bird's nest products worth nearly RM300,000.
He was fined and released.
This is the second incident in recent months where attempts to smuggle out the delicacies from the country to Southeast Asian capitals were foiled.
Last August, customs officers at the same airport arrested a Sri Lankan and seized 35kg of bird's nest products, of the Colocalia unicolor species.
The seized consignment, which was bound for Bangkok, was worth about RM200,000.
These indigenous species are facing extinction in the island state and exports or smuggling of such bird's nest products are prohibited under Sri Lanka's flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance 1937.
Bird's nests are in great demand in several Asian countries where they are used to produce traditional medicine or served as exotic food in restaurants.
In Hong Kong, a bowl of bird's nest soup could easily cost about US$60 (RM210)
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
NEW DELHI, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Two Sri Lankans who attempted to smuggle bird's nest products to Malaysia were arrested by customs officers at the Bandaranaike International airport in Sri Lanka Tuesday.
About 15,000 Wehilihiniya (Sri Lankan edible swiftlet swallow) bird's nest products weighing 44kg, were found in three bags belonging to the suspects, reported the Daily Mirror.
The consignment was worth about RM357,000.
"The suspects who entered the airport were seated near the entrance. They ran away when they saw us, but were apprehended by security officers and Customs officials," Customs deputy director Mali Piyasena told the newspaper.
He said the suspects were remanded until Dec 29, this year.
According to the Customs department, one of the suspects was detained last August for trying to smuggle out 38kg of Wehilihiniya bird's nest products worth nearly RM300,000.
He was fined and released.
This is the second incident in recent months where attempts to smuggle out the delicacies from the country to Southeast Asian capitals were foiled.
Last August, customs officers at the same airport arrested a Sri Lankan and seized 35kg of bird's nest products, of the Colocalia unicolor species.
The seized consignment, which was bound for Bangkok, was worth about RM200,000.
These indigenous species are facing extinction in the island state and exports or smuggling of such bird's nest products are prohibited under Sri Lanka's flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance 1937.
Bird's nests are in great demand in several Asian countries where they are used to produce traditional medicine or served as exotic food in restaurants.
In Hong Kong, a bowl of bird's nest soup could easily cost about US$60 (RM210)
-- BERNAMA
Friday, December 11, 2009
Swiftlet industry in Sarawak ruffles feathers
Friday December 11, 2009 MYT 12:39:28 PM
The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The edible swiftlet nest industry in this country is a highly lucrative one with the annual turnover reaching RM1bil.
However, a critical issue pertaining to the licensing of the swiftlet farms within buildings located in towns may retard the industry if no solution is found.
Local authorities are against the idea of having swiftlet farms in towns as they can cause nuisance to the public and pollute the environment.
But places like Sarawak, though the swiftlet farms are forbidden in towns, still has to find a solution for more than 1,500 illegal swiftlet farms. Any attempt to eradicate the illegal swiftlet farms will bring negative impact to the industry.
So what is the best option in solving this problem to ensure that the effort to boost the industry is not derailed? The licensing issue cropped up in October last year after the authorities conducted an exercise to clear up illegal swiftlet farms in Mukah town.
The move by the authorities has put many swiftlet farm owners in a quandary and raised many questions on the way the exercise was carried out.
During the exercise the swiftlet chicks protected under the Wildlife Act 1972 were left to die in the nests that were confiscated by the authorities. Those annoyed with the move even posted the video on the chicks' fate on the popular video sharing website Youtube.
The action taken by the local authorities has certainly ruffled some feathers, especially the swiftlet farmers.
Thus the Swiftlet Merchant Association in Mukah requested Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to help find a solution. The same request from the counterparts in Sibu and Sarikei followed suit.
The bottom line is that the farm owners wanted to continue operations in the existing premises with most of them being shoptlots.
But the local authorities are steadfast with their stand. Despite the edible swiftlet nest's huge commercial potential, Sarawak's 1998 Wildlife Protection Ordinance prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves and this has made things difficult for the industry.
The director of Sarawak's Forestry Department who is also the Wildlife Controller for Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the state government wanted the industry to be developed in a controlled manner in accordance with the existing laws.
Len Talif pointed out about 100 licenses have been approved from the 600 to 700 applications received since May.
"Most of the licenses approved are for the "oldplayers" who conform to the prerequisites.
"The rest were rejected as their proposed swiftlet farms are in towns," he said adding that enforcement measures would be taken against illegal swiftlet farms.
The licenses were issued for swiftlet farming in Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Sarikei with all of the swiftlet farms in agricultural areas. Nonetheless, the industry views the issuance of the licence as a positive development when in May, only two of the more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in the state were licensed.
Swiftlet farming also needs approval from agencies like the Land and Survey Department, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the local authorities.
And the good news is that the state government is to build three swiftlet ecoparks in Mukah, Sarikei and Bintulu respectively with lots to be sold and rented out to those who are keen.
However, many are sceptical that the bird will nest at the ecopark and feared the bureaucratic hassle.
Thus this scepticism has prompted a big number of swiftlet farm owners to seek exemptions and continue with their activities in the existing premises in towns.
The swiftlet nest entrepreneurs also hope to adopt guidelines like the Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) for the swiftlets, so that they will be allowed to ply their trade within towns as done by their counterparts in Peninsula.
"We will follow this guideline," noted the protem chairman for the Sarikei Swiftlet Nest Merchants' Association Wong Hua Ting, which is in opposition to the state government's stand that the swiflet farming should only be carried out at agricultural areas or the proposed ecopark.
Swiftlet farming in populated areas could create pandemonium among the public especially when there are diseases involving this species of bird.
The Veterinary Services Department (VSD) has conducted more than 5,000 tests on the birds and have confirmed that the swiflet are free from bird flu and Newcastle disease.
The department is also preparing the guidelines on swiftlet farming and the draft proposals will be forwarded to the Steering Committee for the National Swiftlet Industry on Dec 14. The guideline known as "1GP" makes it compulsory for swiftlet breeding premises to be registered with department.
However, before the guideline could be adopted by the local authorities, it would be brought to the attention of the National Council on Local Government chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which is expected to meet March next year.
"The guideline will set the standard for all local governments. It will help traders and swiftlet farm owners to venture into this field in a more organised manner," said the chairman of the Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants' Associations Datuk Beh Heng Seong.
Regarding the guideline, Len Talif noted that the Sarawak state government is ready to adopt it as long as it does not contradict with the state ordinance which would be continuously enforced.
He also gave assurance that in future the nests would not be confiscated and instead a compound will be issued and only the equipment used will be confiscated.
This development is seen as a positive indication pertaining to enforcement but this does not mean it has opened the doors for all to start swiftlet farms without authorisation.
The government wants to see 100,000 swiftlet farms producing 500 tonnes of the bird's nest annually worth RM5 billion by 2020.
The swiftlet nest from this country is of high quality and is highly sought after in China and Arab with the prices fetching up to RM10,000 per kilogram. Thus the solution for this licensing issue is highly pertinent and all parties involved should work hand in hand to ensure that the edible bird nest industry remains vibrant and the nation stands at par with Indonesia and Thailand, the leading producers. - Bernama
The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The edible swiftlet nest industry in this country is a highly lucrative one with the annual turnover reaching RM1bil.
However, a critical issue pertaining to the licensing of the swiftlet farms within buildings located in towns may retard the industry if no solution is found.
Local authorities are against the idea of having swiftlet farms in towns as they can cause nuisance to the public and pollute the environment.
But places like Sarawak, though the swiftlet farms are forbidden in towns, still has to find a solution for more than 1,500 illegal swiftlet farms. Any attempt to eradicate the illegal swiftlet farms will bring negative impact to the industry.
So what is the best option in solving this problem to ensure that the effort to boost the industry is not derailed? The licensing issue cropped up in October last year after the authorities conducted an exercise to clear up illegal swiftlet farms in Mukah town.
The move by the authorities has put many swiftlet farm owners in a quandary and raised many questions on the way the exercise was carried out.
During the exercise the swiftlet chicks protected under the Wildlife Act 1972 were left to die in the nests that were confiscated by the authorities. Those annoyed with the move even posted the video on the chicks' fate on the popular video sharing website Youtube.
The action taken by the local authorities has certainly ruffled some feathers, especially the swiftlet farmers.
Thus the Swiftlet Merchant Association in Mukah requested Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to help find a solution. The same request from the counterparts in Sibu and Sarikei followed suit.
The bottom line is that the farm owners wanted to continue operations in the existing premises with most of them being shoptlots.
But the local authorities are steadfast with their stand. Despite the edible swiftlet nest's huge commercial potential, Sarawak's 1998 Wildlife Protection Ordinance prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves and this has made things difficult for the industry.
The director of Sarawak's Forestry Department who is also the Wildlife Controller for Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the state government wanted the industry to be developed in a controlled manner in accordance with the existing laws.
Len Talif pointed out about 100 licenses have been approved from the 600 to 700 applications received since May.
"Most of the licenses approved are for the "oldplayers" who conform to the prerequisites.
"The rest were rejected as their proposed swiftlet farms are in towns," he said adding that enforcement measures would be taken against illegal swiftlet farms.
The licenses were issued for swiftlet farming in Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Sarikei with all of the swiftlet farms in agricultural areas. Nonetheless, the industry views the issuance of the licence as a positive development when in May, only two of the more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in the state were licensed.
Swiftlet farming also needs approval from agencies like the Land and Survey Department, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the local authorities.
And the good news is that the state government is to build three swiftlet ecoparks in Mukah, Sarikei and Bintulu respectively with lots to be sold and rented out to those who are keen.
However, many are sceptical that the bird will nest at the ecopark and feared the bureaucratic hassle.
Thus this scepticism has prompted a big number of swiftlet farm owners to seek exemptions and continue with their activities in the existing premises in towns.
The swiftlet nest entrepreneurs also hope to adopt guidelines like the Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) for the swiftlets, so that they will be allowed to ply their trade within towns as done by their counterparts in Peninsula.
"We will follow this guideline," noted the protem chairman for the Sarikei Swiftlet Nest Merchants' Association Wong Hua Ting, which is in opposition to the state government's stand that the swiflet farming should only be carried out at agricultural areas or the proposed ecopark.
Swiftlet farming in populated areas could create pandemonium among the public especially when there are diseases involving this species of bird.
The Veterinary Services Department (VSD) has conducted more than 5,000 tests on the birds and have confirmed that the swiflet are free from bird flu and Newcastle disease.
The department is also preparing the guidelines on swiftlet farming and the draft proposals will be forwarded to the Steering Committee for the National Swiftlet Industry on Dec 14. The guideline known as "1GP" makes it compulsory for swiftlet breeding premises to be registered with department.
However, before the guideline could be adopted by the local authorities, it would be brought to the attention of the National Council on Local Government chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which is expected to meet March next year.
"The guideline will set the standard for all local governments. It will help traders and swiftlet farm owners to venture into this field in a more organised manner," said the chairman of the Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants' Associations Datuk Beh Heng Seong.
Regarding the guideline, Len Talif noted that the Sarawak state government is ready to adopt it as long as it does not contradict with the state ordinance which would be continuously enforced.
He also gave assurance that in future the nests would not be confiscated and instead a compound will be issued and only the equipment used will be confiscated.
This development is seen as a positive indication pertaining to enforcement but this does not mean it has opened the doors for all to start swiftlet farms without authorisation.
The government wants to see 100,000 swiftlet farms producing 500 tonnes of the bird's nest annually worth RM5 billion by 2020.
The swiftlet nest from this country is of high quality and is highly sought after in China and Arab with the prices fetching up to RM10,000 per kilogram. Thus the solution for this licensing issue is highly pertinent and all parties involved should work hand in hand to ensure that the edible bird nest industry remains vibrant and the nation stands at par with Indonesia and Thailand, the leading producers. - Bernama
Dilemma over RM1bil swiftlet nest trade
Saturday December 12, 2009
The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The swiftlet nest industry is highly lucrative with an annual turnover reaching RM1bil.
But a critical issue pertaining to the licensing of swiftlet farms within buildings located in towns may retard the industry if no solution is found.
Local authorities are against having swiftlet farms in towns as they can cause nuisance to the public and pollute the environment.
But in Sarawak where there are over 1,500 such farms operating illegally in towns, any attempt to eradicate them will impact negatively on the industry.
The licensing issue cropped up last year after the authorities conducted an exercise to clear up illegal swiftlet farms in Mukah town.
The move by the authorities has put many swiftlet farm owners in a quandary.
Furthermore, the Sarawak’s 1998 Wildlife Protection Ordinance also prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves.
Sarawak’s Forestry Department director Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the state government wanted the industry to be developed in a controlled manner in accordance with the laws.
Len Talif pointed out that only about 100 licenses had been approved from the 600 to 700 applications received since May.
“Most of the licenses approved are for the ‘old-players’ who conform to the prerequisites,” he said.
All of the licenses were issued for swiftlet farms in Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Sarikei with all of them in agricultural areas.
The good news is, the state government plans to build three swiftlet ecoparks in Mukah, Sarikei and Bintulu with lots to be sold and rented out to those who are keen.
But many are sceptical that the bird will nest at the ecopark and feared the bureaucratic hassle.
This has prompted many swiftlet farm owners to seek exemptions and continue with their activities in the existing premises in towns, although this could create potential problem involving health issues.
Checks by the Veterinary Service Department which had carried out 5,000 tests on the birds confirmed that so far they are free from bird flu and Newcastle disease, but it is preparing a guideline making it compulsory for farms to be registered with the authority.
“The guideline will set the standard for all local governments. It will help traders and swiftlet farm owners to venture into this field in a more organised manner,” said the chairman of the Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants’ Associations Datuk Beh Heng Seong.
The swiftlet nest from this country is of high quality and is highly sought in China and Arab with prices fetching up to RM10,000 per kilo.
The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The swiftlet nest industry is highly lucrative with an annual turnover reaching RM1bil.
But a critical issue pertaining to the licensing of swiftlet farms within buildings located in towns may retard the industry if no solution is found.
Local authorities are against having swiftlet farms in towns as they can cause nuisance to the public and pollute the environment.
But in Sarawak where there are over 1,500 such farms operating illegally in towns, any attempt to eradicate them will impact negatively on the industry.
The licensing issue cropped up last year after the authorities conducted an exercise to clear up illegal swiftlet farms in Mukah town.
The move by the authorities has put many swiftlet farm owners in a quandary.
Furthermore, the Sarawak’s 1998 Wildlife Protection Ordinance also prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves.
Sarawak’s Forestry Department director Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the state government wanted the industry to be developed in a controlled manner in accordance with the laws.
Len Talif pointed out that only about 100 licenses had been approved from the 600 to 700 applications received since May.
“Most of the licenses approved are for the ‘old-players’ who conform to the prerequisites,” he said.
All of the licenses were issued for swiftlet farms in Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Sarikei with all of them in agricultural areas.
The good news is, the state government plans to build three swiftlet ecoparks in Mukah, Sarikei and Bintulu with lots to be sold and rented out to those who are keen.
But many are sceptical that the bird will nest at the ecopark and feared the bureaucratic hassle.
This has prompted many swiftlet farm owners to seek exemptions and continue with their activities in the existing premises in towns, although this could create potential problem involving health issues.
Checks by the Veterinary Service Department which had carried out 5,000 tests on the birds confirmed that so far they are free from bird flu and Newcastle disease, but it is preparing a guideline making it compulsory for farms to be registered with the authority.
“The guideline will set the standard for all local governments. It will help traders and swiftlet farm owners to venture into this field in a more organised manner,” said the chairman of the Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants’ Associations Datuk Beh Heng Seong.
The swiftlet nest from this country is of high quality and is highly sought in China and Arab with prices fetching up to RM10,000 per kilo.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Local authority plans to look into ways to legalise swiftlet breeders
Friday December 4, 2009
By ELAN PERUMAL
THE Kuala Selangor District Council is hoping to collect more than RM100,000 on licensing fee from swiftlet breeders in the district.
The council has set up a task force comprising council officials and professionals to look into ways of licensing the more than 100 breeders.
Councillor K. N. Chandran said the council was looking into the possibility of collecting RM1,000 on annual licence fee from each breeder.
By doing so, he said, the council hoped to increase its revenue as well as control the mushrooming of the breeding houses in the district.
“Currently, the breeders are carrying out the activity at freely as they are not licensed.
“The task force will liase with the state government on how to legalise the breeders,’’ he said, adding that state was now drafting regulations on breeding of swiftlets.
Under the licensing proposal, Chandran said, the task force was also supposed to identify suitable sites to move all the breeders to a centralised venue.
He added that the issue of swiftlets were hotly discussed during its full board meeting last month.
He said there had been numerous complaints from residents on the indiscriminate breeding of swiftlets at residential and commercial premises.
“Many of the councillors have expressed concerns over the mushrooming of the breeding houses in the district.
“We feel that the indiscriminate breeding is highly inconvenient for the residents and the birds may even pose a health hazard to people,’’ he added,
StarMetro had earlier highlighted the presence of numerous swiftlet houses in Kuala Selangor and Batang Berjuntai.
It reported that the breeders had conducted illegal extension of premises in order to turn them into swiftlet houses.
By ELAN PERUMAL
THE Kuala Selangor District Council is hoping to collect more than RM100,000 on licensing fee from swiftlet breeders in the district.
The council has set up a task force comprising council officials and professionals to look into ways of licensing the more than 100 breeders.
Councillor K. N. Chandran said the council was looking into the possibility of collecting RM1,000 on annual licence fee from each breeder.
By doing so, he said, the council hoped to increase its revenue as well as control the mushrooming of the breeding houses in the district.
“Currently, the breeders are carrying out the activity at freely as they are not licensed.
“The task force will liase with the state government on how to legalise the breeders,’’ he said, adding that state was now drafting regulations on breeding of swiftlets.
Under the licensing proposal, Chandran said, the task force was also supposed to identify suitable sites to move all the breeders to a centralised venue.
He added that the issue of swiftlets were hotly discussed during its full board meeting last month.
He said there had been numerous complaints from residents on the indiscriminate breeding of swiftlets at residential and commercial premises.
“Many of the councillors have expressed concerns over the mushrooming of the breeding houses in the district.
“We feel that the indiscriminate breeding is highly inconvenient for the residents and the birds may even pose a health hazard to people,’’ he added,
StarMetro had earlier highlighted the presence of numerous swiftlet houses in Kuala Selangor and Batang Berjuntai.
It reported that the breeders had conducted illegal extension of premises in order to turn them into swiftlet houses.
'Tap swiftlets potential'
NST
2009/12/04
A STATE assemblyman yesterday proposed a novel way to help sundry shop operators adversely affected by the influx of hypermarkets.
In debating the state 2010 Budget, Tee Siew Kiong (BN-Pulai Sebatang) said the government could kill two birds with one stone by allowing those affected to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels for bird nest farming.
He made the suggestion following the closure of many sundry shops which had failed to compete with hypermarkets, whose number was mushrooming in the state.
"Sundry shop operators stand to lose when pitched against hypermarkets as the latter have the capital to buy stocks in bulk and resell them at a much lower price than sundry shops," he said.
By allowing and assisting the operators to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels, Tee said this would allow them to continue to earn a decent living.
"Bird's nest has a huge and lucrative market in China, Hong Kong and other international places, so I urge the government to give it special attention and tap its potential," he said.
Tee said he was thankful to the state government for bringing the matter to the Federal Government's attention.
However, he said there was a need to have guidelines to govern swiftlet hotels which have become the subject of criticism by some residents because of noise pollution and hygiene problems.
He said banks had also become aware of the potential of the industry and had started to finance such ventures.
"It could be very beneficial to the state economy as Malaysia exported RM1 billion worth of bird's nest last year, which was equivalent to five per cent of the world market for the product," he said.
Tee also urged the government to simplify bird's nest exports and swiftlet hotel licensing so that the industry could grow even faster in the state.
2009/12/04
A STATE assemblyman yesterday proposed a novel way to help sundry shop operators adversely affected by the influx of hypermarkets.
In debating the state 2010 Budget, Tee Siew Kiong (BN-Pulai Sebatang) said the government could kill two birds with one stone by allowing those affected to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels for bird nest farming.
He made the suggestion following the closure of many sundry shops which had failed to compete with hypermarkets, whose number was mushrooming in the state.
"Sundry shop operators stand to lose when pitched against hypermarkets as the latter have the capital to buy stocks in bulk and resell them at a much lower price than sundry shops," he said.
By allowing and assisting the operators to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels, Tee said this would allow them to continue to earn a decent living.
"Bird's nest has a huge and lucrative market in China, Hong Kong and other international places, so I urge the government to give it special attention and tap its potential," he said.
Tee said he was thankful to the state government for bringing the matter to the Federal Government's attention.
However, he said there was a need to have guidelines to govern swiftlet hotels which have become the subject of criticism by some residents because of noise pollution and hygiene problems.
He said banks had also become aware of the potential of the industry and had started to finance such ventures.
"It could be very beneficial to the state economy as Malaysia exported RM1 billion worth of bird's nest last year, which was equivalent to five per cent of the world market for the product," he said.
Tee also urged the government to simplify bird's nest exports and swiftlet hotel licensing so that the industry could grow even faster in the state.
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