Terengganu to introduce law on swiftlet farming

Published: Monday September 27, 2010 MYT 3:00:00 PM
The Star


KUALA TERENGGANU: Operators of swiftlet farming in Terengganu will be required to register their bird-houses with the Veterinary Service Department under a new law to be introduced soon.

State veterinary director, Dr Azizol Mohd Sharom, said a workshop was being held to review guidelines on swiftlet farming which had been introduced by the cabinet with a view of adapting them to the state's needs.

The guidelines issued by the cabinet were too general and they would be modified to meet local condition, he told Bernama here on Monday.

He said the three-day workshop, which began Monday, was attended by about 100 participants, comprising officials from the Health Department, the National Park and Wildlife Department, the local authorities and representatives from the swiftlet farmers association.

Dr Azizol said the department would also introduce a model swiftlet-breeding house that would be cheaper.

A model of the bird-house, costing about RM28,000, has been built at the Jerangau Veterinary Center in Dungun, he added. - Bernama

‘Give us alternative site’

Surprise, surprise that swiftlet farmers are willing to relocate even if given new sites. Most likely these are new bh where there is not many birds. The established one will certainly find it impossible to move without losing all the birds.

Jackie

**********************************************************************************


Wednesday September 15, 2010
The Star


OPERATORS of swiflet farms in the heritage enclave in George Town are willing to relocate if the authorities identify a new location for them.

Association for Swiftlet Nest Industries (ASNI) president Carole Loh said there should be proper planning just like the relocation of hawkers and squatters.

“We are only requesting that we’re treated fairly in the relocation process,” she said when contacted yesterday.

She was commenting on the statement by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow that the state government would hold a meeting next week to work out a mechanism to implement the three-year grace period for swiftlet farms to move out of the George Town heritage enclave.

Chow said the meeting would involve ASNI, Penang Heritage Trust and other related organisations.

He was quoted as saying it was up to the state government to decide when the grace period would begin.

The issue of relocation arose after the National Council for Local Government had agreed on Sept 3 for swiftlet farms to move out of the Penang and Malacca heritage enclaves.

Loh said the operators were awaiting details on the relocation plan.

“It is almost impossible to move out without affecting the swiftlets as putting the birds in cages and moving them out is not the right way.

“Swiftlets will return to their nests as soon as they are released from the cage,” she said.

Move ruffles feathers

The response from ASNI to the opening salvo from the National Council for Local Government. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that you cannot relocate the swiftlets. One way is perhaps to "buy out" the swiftlet farm owners - renovation cost plus RM1000 per nest in the birdhouse? Even that might not solve the problem because a lot of owners are very emotionally attached to their birds and the birdhouse eg. yours truly.

Again I asked the question. Is UNESCO asking for the birdhouse to be moved out ? afterall the birdhouse were there when the World Heritage status was awarded to Georgetown and Melaka.

Jackie

*********************************************************************************



Wednesday September 8, 2010
The Star
By ANDREA FILMER
andrea@thestar.com.my


GEORGE TOWN: The Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) Penang branch is crying foul over the ban on swiftlet farming in the Penang and Malacca heritage enclaves.

Branch president Carole Loh (pic) claimed the association was getting “mixed signals” over the issue as a Heritage Zone Swiftlet Premises Regulation Committee had been set up at the national level to regulate swiftlet operators in heritage zones.

“The last meeting of the committee was held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 23 and it was chaired by Heritage Commissioner Prof Emeritus Datin Zuraina Majid.

“ASNI is disappointed and confused that an announcement has been made (on the banning of swiftlet far-ming in heritage areas) when this committee is still in existence to evaluate swiftlet operators on a case-by-case basis,” said Loh, who is also the ASNI national secretary.

She claimed that the members of the regulation committee had already been selected, with some being present at the meeting.

“The Veterinary Department, Penang and Malacca Town and Country Planning departments, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, Malacca World Heritage Office and ASNI are members and most were represented.

“It was also decided that the Agriculture Ministry and Information, Communication and Culture Ministry would be included in the committee,” she said.

On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the National Council for Local Government had decided that swiftlet farming would be prohibited in Penang and Malacca heritage enclaves.

Muhyiddin added, however, that a three-year grace period would be given to current operators.

The Penang Government subsequently announced that a meeting would be held after Hari Raya to work out a mechanism to implement the grace period for swiftlet farms to move to agriculture areas.

Loh reiterated that it would be difficult for swiftlet operators to move.

“There is no way for us to move. The birds roam freely and build nests in the pre-war houses.

“We do not feed them or confine them,” Loh said.