Guidelines on swiftlet farming to be drawn up

Thursday April 22, 2010
The STar


KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is drawing up guidelines on swiftlet farming as the state attempts to soothe ruffled feathers following a ban on birds’ nest ranching in towns.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Nor said the guidelines would be drawn up with the Wildlife Department with the aim of encouraging a systematic development of the lucrative birds’ nest industry.

“I want to stress that the ban on swiftlet farms in urban centres is not a move against the industry. We are very aware of the economic potential,” he told the state assembly.

He stressed that the state government wanted the industry to be regulated in a systematic manner.

“Our decision to ban such farming activities is for environmental, health and cleanliness purposes in the city and towns.”

The state, he said, had meant well in banning the farming of swiftlets in shophouses, commercial centres and other urban centres as it had the public’s welfare in mind.

However, the ban drew flak from businesses involved in the industry who complained about loss of income