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.