National guidelines not swift in coming

Tuesday July 27, 2010
The Star


PENANG will seek the input from stakeholders once it gets hold of the National Guidelines For Swiftlet Breeding which was passed in Cabinet about two weeks ago.

State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state was given a briefing by National Veterinary Department representatives prior to the passing of the new guidelines but “without much details”.

“Our officer have been requesting for the new guidelines these past two weeks but to date, we have yet to receive a copy.

“During the briefing, we also expressed our dismay that the consultation for the guidelines did not involve any heritage NGOs or World Heritage Office representatives.

“Those consulted were mainly swiftlets’ industry players,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Chow added that the industry players’ main focus is on the monetary side even though they claimed that by turning old houses into a bird house, they are doing heritage protection a service.

“But the bird houses make it a challenge for people to live, at times forcing the neighbours to move, and thus affect the living heritage aspect,” he said.

It was reported that at least 8% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings in inner George Town have been restored and rehabilitated by bird nest breeders.

Penang Heritage Trust council member Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson said the health and safety issues are among the main concerns.

“Imagine the pollution from noise and bird droppings. It is in the state’s hands to make a policy and set a guideline on swiftlet houses.”

Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry president Carole Loh had said that the droppings outside belonged to pigeons, adding that swiftlets are very particular and only release their droppings in the house.

She had also suggested that the state Health Department issue breeders with a health certificate which can be revoked if the cleanliness is not maintained.

Extra income for orang asli through agriculture

Saturday July 24, 2010
The Star


LABIS: The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry wants to boost the income of the poor, especially the orang asli, through agricultural activities.

Its deputy minister Chua Tee Yong said that it would start with a pilot-project in four orang asli settlements here.

“We will study the most suitable form of agriculture for the Kampung Selai and Kampung Lenek settlements.

“Among the factors to be considered are the terrain as well as forest resources near the villages,” he told newsmen after launching a Dental Care and Health Awareness programme at Kampung Selai here yesterday.

Chua said the pilot project would be paid through his allocation as Labis MP and not by the ministry.

“We already plan to start swiftlet breeding in Kampung Selai.

“We will assist with the start-up and monitor the progress,” he said.

Chua added the ministry would look into implementing the initiatives nationwide if the pilot-project is a success.

Meanwhile, Chua said it was important for the orang asli to realise the importance of having healthy habits.

“This programme shows that the orang asli people are not forgotten by the government,” he said.

Swiftlet breeders given ultimatum

Friday July 16, 2010

BY ALLISON LAI
malacca@thestar.com..my


MALACCA: Some 300 swiftlet breeders here were given a three month notice to register with the Veterinary Services Department and apply for licenses or face severe action from the local council.

The warning was issued by State Rural Development and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Hidhir Abu Hasan after the state adopted the new swiftlet industry guideline (1GP) which was approved by the Cabinet on Monday.

Besides implementing the new guidelines, he said the state had also included additional rules to regulate the industry here.

“The breeders will have to register with the states Veterinary Services Department irrespective if they have already received approval from the local council or registered with the Malacca Birds Nest Merchants Association.


Strict ruling: Birdhouse operators located within the historic city’s Unesco World Heritage Site heritage zones must apply for a permit from the Heritage Department.

“Failing which, action will be taken against them to shutdown their business,” he told reporters here after a dialogue with swiftlet breeders here on Tuesday.

He said swiftlet breeders must apply for operating permits from the respective authorities depending on the location of the birdhouses.

“The state has adopted the 1GP guidelines but had to amend and make additions to it owing to Malaccas size and the citys status as a World Heritage Heritage site,” he added.

Swiftlet breeders operating within Malacca’s heritage zones must submit the necessary building plans for their operations when applying for a permit from the Heritage Department.

Mohd Hidhir said the local council authorities would only issue operating licenses to registered and approved operators.

There are some 100 swiftlet breeders in Malacca registered with the association with some 200 others operating as non-registered members.

The state had issued 60 temporary license to operators of which 22 are located within heritage zones.

In relation to the matter, Malacca Birds Nest Merchants Association president John Chen Joon Onn had voiced concerned over the implementation of the 1GP guidelines and additional regulations imposed by the state.

“We will hold a meeting with our members and issue a statement on the matter later,” he said when contacted.

Locally harvested birds nests can fetch between RM1,500 and RM5,000 per kg depending on quality.

Birds nest harvesting has spawned a thriving multi-million ringgit industry here, including manufacturing of canned drinks for the local and export markets.

Govt announces new guidelines for swiftlet farmers

Malay Mail
KEVIN ONG
Monday, July 12th, 2010 14:40:00


KUALA LUMPUR: After much debacle, swiftlet farming finally has a standardised set of formal guidelines along with a core plan to oversee its development which is expected to produce RM5 billion in revenue by 2015 for the country.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar, said swiftlet farming shall be industrialised as it has a high market value and is profitable.

"The Cabinet has been briefed on the new standards and procedures and has dutifully approved it," Noh said in a Press conference held at the Farmers Organisation Authority headquarters in Damansara this morning.

He said in order to achieve good results, the core plan for the swiftlet farming industry will highlight several important aspects such as research and development, widening the market and proper funding to encourage those who are less fortunate in the industry.

"Besides that, the core plan will also concentrate on disease-free swiftlet products as strict guidelines will be imposed on swiftlet farming premises.

"The Department of Veterinarian Services (DVS) has been appointed by the government to spearhead the swiftlet industry. It has developed a registration system for swiftlet farmers on their website www.burungwalit.com.my" he said.

Noh said this new website is fully operational and it is standardised and eases the registration process for applicants.

"After the application is sent, officials from the DVS, the Department of Environment and other relevant government bodies will inspect the proposed farming premises."

The cabinet has also proposed a 'one-stop agency' involving relevant government bodies in all states to further help ease swiftlet farming applications.

Interested applicants are advised to register their premises before the application window closes by end of this year.

The DVS will provide each swiftlet farm with a Radio Frequency Indentification (RFID) to assist in identifying the location of the farms which are required to be far from residential areas.

Noh added that part of the core plan is to create productive workforce in the swiftlet farming industry.

"Since most of the swiftlet products we export are raw and unprocessed, standard procedures in the processing line can not only help us make the best of our resources but also provide job opportunities."

With a market price of RM7,000 per kilogramme, swiftlet farming captured the attention of many businessmen in Malaysia.

Illegal swiftlet farming carried out through the aid of abandoned buildings and structures in residential and commercial areas has caused a government crackdown.

In April this year, the state government of Sabah has imposed a ban on swiftlet farming. Since then, major cities of Ipoh and Johor Baru have followed.

Swiftlet farmers believe tests and studies on the birds have disputed allegations that the birds were disease carriers

State monitors swiftlet breeding premises

Wednesday July 7, 2010
The Star


THE state government, which has not issued any licences for swiftlet breeding, is monitoring premises registered under the Swiftlet Breeding Association, said acting Agriculture Committee chairman Md Jais Sarday.

He said the Veterinary Services Department conducted seminars on the proper way to keep swiftlets to ensure breeders conformed to regulations and maintained cleanliness, besides keeping sound pollution to a minimum.

Not so chirpy residents - Country Heights BirdHouse

By PRIYA MENON
priya@thestar.com.my Photo by M. AZHAR | Jul 2, 2010


Massive: The three-storey structure built on a hill next to Country Heights Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
RESIDENTS of Country Heights Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, are resenting the bird calls they hear every day and night from an illegal bird nest building next door.

The massive three-storey structure built on a hill near the posh neighbourhood has been there for more than six months and attracts a large number of swiftlets into the building.

At first, residents were puzzled by the constant noise from the jungle that never ceased until they discovered the activity.

“We were surprised that the jungle was so noisy, then we found out that an electronic musical sound mimicking birds had been placed inside the building to attract the swiftlets,” said Pete Meehan.

He added that people bought the RM8mil to RM10mil homes to enjoy peace and quiet only to be disturbed by the sound of birds.

According to another resident, Ang Kim Jhew, they have made at least six complaints to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) since April.

“We were later told the problem is under the Department of Environment (DoE) and we complained to them as well. DoE later sent a letter to the DBKL supporting our complaint,” added Ang.

However, no action has been taken so far. They are also worried about environmental issues, including the droppings.

The residents contacted Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng to help them in their task.

“I have checked with the DBKL and they told me that there has been no permit for bird’s nest harvesting in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.


Lim and StarMetro visited the site and found another structure being built.

When asked, the Indonesian workers who declined to be named, said the new structure was a section of rooms to be rented out.

The bird’s nest building was also locked and the workers said they did not have the keys to the building.

“We have not harvested the nests yet but there have been many birds coming and in out of the building,” said the worker.

Lim said he would lodge an official statement with the DBKL on behalf of the residents and would give the council two weeks to resolve the problem.

“I will ask that the man running the business be served a notice to close down the place and if the structure is illegal the owner will have to tear that down as well,” he added.

When contacted, DBKL’s corporate communications unit said they were aware of the problem and that the structure was illegal as it was built without a development order.

DBKL confirmed it will be taking action against the businessman as soon as possible.

The man, who did not want to be named, refused to talk to the press.