Guidelines on swiftlet farming being drawn

Jan 25, 2011
The Starg


SANDAKAN: Sabah is preparing policy guidelines for swiftlet farming in the state following a decision last April to ban the activity in major urban centres.

State Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai said the guidelines were being drawn up.

He said this during a Chinese New Year walkabout at Bandar Ramai Ramai by Parti Bersatu Sabah leaders recently.

The minister was replying to a question from New Sabah Times on the existence of swiftlet farming activities in urban areas despite the ban.

To another question whether the ban was in force, Yee said he was not aware of it as the guidelines for bird’s nest farming in the state was being drawn.

Last April, Dr Yee announced the state government’s ban on swiftlet farming in urban centres statewide was for environmental, health and cleanliness purposes.

No new permits for swiftlet breeding in Kajang

Friday December 31, 2010
The Star
By OH ING YEEN
ingyeen@thestar.com.my


THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) will not approve new applications for swiftlet breeding in commercial and residential areas until the Selangor government’s guidelines are drawn out, council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said.

Councillor S.T. Chandramohan added that no action would be taken against existing swiftlet breeders.

“However, under the council’s Street, Drainage and Building Act, breeding of animals is not allowed in commercial and residential areas.

“Under the same Act, swiftlet breeders in commercial and residential areas are also at fault for the misuse of premises,” Chandramohan said.

On the issue on under-performing contractors, he said although a contractor is blacklisted, he might apply for jobs through another company.

“The council’s new policy is that when a particular contractor does not perform, he should not be given new projects,” he said.

It was also highlighted at the meeting that a stop-work order was issued to the owner of the Hulu Langat MCA branch building.

“We received complaints that illegal extensions were built and the council’s building unit have verified this. They applied for a fourth floor to be added and it was rejected for several reasons but they continued building it. They will have to demolish it,” Chandramohan said.

He added that until now the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has yet to approve the building plans as this did not follow requirements.

“DID advised them to strengthen the river banks but instead of doing that, one part of the wall has encroached the river.”

Kajang assemblyman Lee Kim Sin added that this affected the river flow.

Chandramohan also pointed out that a stop-work order was issued earlier because they had built a substation in the car park.

Meanwhile, in response to the state’s decision to ban the 1Malaysia logo, the council is covering those found at bus stops in the municipality.

“We will place bus schedules over the logo,” Hassan Nawawi said.

It was also announced at the meeting that upgrading work for 96 bus stops have been completed.

Funds for the project amounting to RM2.3mil were allocated by the Federal Government.

Temporary licences for swiftlet farms

Wednesday December 22, 2010
The Star
By ELAN PERUMAL
elan@thestar.com.my


OPERATORS of swiftlet farms in Selangor have been asked to apply for temporary licences from their respective local authorities.

The Selangor Government has decided to legalise swiftlet farms in a temporary move while awaiting the standard guidelines to be ready.

State local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu said they were finalising the details of the licensing conditions.

He said the standard guidelines would be ready in six months.

He added that the move was necessary for the local authorities to collect licensing fee from the operators.

“The swiftlet operators have been operating farms without paying any form of licensing fees and this has resulted in a loss of income for the local authorities.

“Now, the local authorities will be able to get some revenue from the swiflet breeders.

“We are also working closely with the Veterinary Department on the details of the licensing conditions,’’ he said.

Liu said applications from those operating at high-density areas, including towns, would not be entertained.

“However, consideration will be given to those who are operating at remote areas,’’ he said.

No room for swiftlets

Noise is certainly the main complain from irated residents nearby. Mindless and selfish birdhouse owners are to be blamed. This is a problem that is easy to resolve. The swiftlet association cah work closely with the councils to make swiftlet house owners comply or face being closed down permanently. When will these stupid swiftlet house owner ever learn?

Jackie

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Thursday August 26, 2010
The Star


WE REFER to the report “Group mulls legal action against Penang govt” (The Star, Aug 24) and wish to express our support for the state government’s initiative to move swiftlet farming away from the city.

My family stays in George Town. About seven years ago, someone set up a swiftlet farm two units away from our pre-war house. Later, several popped up in the vicinity as well and since then, we have to endure the ceaseless noise from the artificial bird sounds broadcast throughout most of the day.

This has severely affected our quality of life. On weekends, when we look forward to just relaxing at home, we have to put up with the aural assault.

The farm owners claim that the noise levels are within approved limits even though to us, it certainly doesn’t sound like it. Please imagine listening to your favourite piece of music, can you tolerate listening to it non-stop for hours, days and months? What more if it is high-pitched shrills.

Research has shown that prolonged and continuous exposure to unwanted noise can have a detrimental effect on one’s stress levels and mental health.

Most of these farm owners don’t stay in or even near the farms they own, yet they have no feelings that their actions are affecting dozens of households. There is an irony here as well. If claims by the Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) that the success rate of swiftlet farming is just 30% are true, that would mean the people living near the other 70% of swiftlet farms are suffering for nothing!

Now we have farm owners like ASNI Penang president threatening to sue the Penang government if they are evicted. But what about the suffering neighbours? Can we sue the swiftlet farm owners for creating a public nuisance?

Dr Kenneth Khoo talks about the 2005 guidelines like it was something set in stone and can never be changed. Many things have changed since. George Town has been granted heritage status, investors both local and abroad have been buying up pre-war buildings and conservation and renovation projects have picked up pace all over the city. With this, businesses and residents will slowly but surely return. George Town has the ability to become a choice destination again.

Swiftlet farm owners in the town area should look beyond their own self-interest. If they are allowed to continue operating, what is there to stop anyone else from setting up another farm? Do you want to see the beautiful George Town turned into a hollowed out city like some smaller towns in Malaysia where most of the residents are swiftlets?

Furthermore, the state government is not even talking about banning swiftlet farming in the state, it is merely trying to move it to a more appropriate area where disturbance to the general public can be minimised.

ELISE LEE,
George Town.

Group mulls legal action against Penang govt

Is the Penang govt barking up the wrong tree ? Has UNESCO demanded that there be no swiftlet birdhouse in Georgetown or else its World Heritage Status would be revoked? The birdhouse were already there when Georgetown was given the award so shouldn't they remain as part of Georgetown?
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Tuesday August 24, 2010
The Star


GEORGE TOWN: The Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) is considering legal action against the state government if it proceeds to evict bird farms from commercial buildings in the town centre.

Penang branch president Carole Loh said its members would lose up to RM77.91mil if they were evicted from the premises - some of which were situated in the heritage zone.

“This is our last resort. We need to protect the interests of our members,” she said in an interview.

There are 147 registered swiftlet farmers in the commercial zones within George Town, and most of them have invested a minimum renovation cost of RM50,000 in the pre-war buildings where the swiftlets are bred.

Small and Medium Industries Association of Penang secretary-general Dr Kenneth Khoo, who supported ASNI, said the farms were not within residential areas.

The 2005 guidelines for operators states that farming activities for bird nests must be conducted away from residential areas.

“There are legitimate expectations when the council made the 2005 guidelines public, and the birdhouse owners complied with the guidelines by setting up the birdhouses in commercial areas,” Dr Khoo said.

State Religious, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim has reportedly said the state would review current policies on bird nest farming.

Guidelines On Swiftlet Farming In Sabah Out By Year End

June 19, 2010 18:49 PM

Bernama



KOTA KINABALU, June 19 (Bernama) -- The guidelines on proper swiftlet farming in all the 24 districts in Sabah will be issued before end of the year.

Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor said the ministry, with the cooperation of government agencies, like the Wildlife Department, was in the process of formulating the guidelines.

"I'll call a meeting with the departments and agencies involved soon to fine tune the guidelines before they are given to swiftlet breeders," he told reporters after opening the 'Bah Futsal Kita' carnival, organised by the Sabah Broadcasting department and Telekom Malaysia Berhad here Saturday.

Last April 8, State Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai announced a ban on swiftlet farming in the town areas on grounds that the activity posed health and environmental hazards as well as public nuisance.

-- BERNAMA

Heritage Heroes Keep Nation's Treasures Gleaming

June 02, 2010 15:44 PM
Bernama


By Ummi Nadiah Rosli

The first of two parts

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 (Bernama) -- The word itself may have come to sound like dusty shelves or stagnant water, but 'heritage' is not only about the blast from the past.

Whether it is an ancient archaeological site, a nostalgic building or a traditional art form, Malaysia's rich heritage are stories and memories that have shaped our identity.

And resonating with the past is not about being sentimental. In a country where ancient temples, mosques and churches can exist side by side, to turn our backs on a great and noble heritage is a great loss.

With the tapestry of local treasures, the Department of National Heritage (JWN) has been busy keeping our heritage trail alive.

Established four years ago, JWN's mission is to empower and champion heritage as the core identity of the Malaysian people's legacy.

GUARDIANS OF HERITAGE

The Commissioner of Heritage Emeritus Professor Datuk Zuraina Majid explained that the department's objectives were to conserve, maintain and protect the nation's cultural and natural heritage by research, documentation, enforcement and raising awareness on heritage.

To ensure the continuous presence of Malaysia's vibrant heritage, JWN undertakes several roles which mainly comprise of documentation, conservation and enforcement.

Enforcement works carried out are according to the provisions of the National Heritage Act 2005 [Act 645], and to issue heritage order and register the heritage items with the National Heritage Register.

An example of this is the guidelines governing swiflet farming that require only premises which have not been designated as Class 1 Heritage Building to be converted into a swiftlet farm.

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Swiftlet issue to Cabinet

Sunday May 23, 2010
The Star


SITIAWAN: Guidelines to regulate the country’s swiftlet farming industry will soon be tabled for approval at Cabinet.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said that the Swiftlet Industry Guidelines would cover all aspects of the sector, from licensing to exporting.

Kong, who is also Lumut MP, said that the guidelines would also cover downstream industries, re­stric­­­tions against swiftlet farming in heritage buildings, hygiene and its impact on the public.

“We are finalising the details and they will be tabled soon,” Kong told reporters after handing out aid to his constituents here yesterday.

He said that the guidelines would be drawn up jointly by his ministry and the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and Natural Resources and Environment ministries, with input from both the Health and Information, Communi­cation and Culture ministries.

Kong also said that all state authorities had been given the regulations to control local swiftlet farming while the guidelines were being drawn up.

“The local authorities have been given instructions on issuing licences to ‘swiftlet hotel’ operators.

“We have also given clear directives on how operators can install speakers to attract the birds and the volume of the sound permitted,” he said.

Kong added that operators should comply with the regulations.

Various groups had called for tighter controls of or even a ban on swiftlet farming in urban areas, citing health and environmental concerns.

Legalise swiftlet farming, Pahang govt urged

Tuesday May 4, 2010
The Star


Chang Hong Seong (BN - Teruntum) brought up the issue of swiftlet rearing which had yet to be fully licensed despite the state government introducing and approving standard guidelines for the industry in 2007.

“I was informed that only 739 licences had been issued. There are some 3,000 proprietors of swiftlet farms, meaning most of them are running the business without a licence.

“This is a growing industry and Malaysia is third largest exporter after Indonesia and Thailand, with the value estimated at between RM8bil and RM12bil a year,” he said, adding that it was high time the state government legalised the industry by putting it under the purview of local councils.

Penang may follow Sabah in disallowing farming in urban areas

Wednesday April 21, 2010
The Star
By WINNIE YEOH


winnie@thestar.com.my

THE moratorium on swiftlet farming should not be taken as a sign that the state government is allowing the activity in urban areas, said Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

“The moratorium has been extended thrice as the state is still waiting for the national guidelines on the industry from the Agriculture Department and the Veterinary Services Department.

“The state recognises the swiftlet farming industry as a revenue earning trade but it should be done properly. We are mulling over the idea of moving the industry out of urban areas such as George Town,” he said when contacted on Monday.


Lucrative industry: Young swiftlets in bird nests in one of the swiftlet houses in George Town.

Chow said the breeding activities should preferably be moved to an agriculture area, adding that there was no specifically zoned areas for swiftlet breeding in the state as this comes under the jurisdiction of the Veterinary Services Department.

He was responding to a decision by the Sabah Cabinet to ban swiftlet breeding from major urban areas three weeks ago.

Its Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai had placed the ban within all major towns, citing environmental and health threats posed by the birds as well as them being a nuisance.

Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution said the organisation lauded the move by Sabah and had been campaigning for an end to swiftlet farming in George Town.

“We hope the precedent set by the Sabah Government would be acknowledged and emulated by the Penang Government.”

Meanwhile, Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) president Carole Loh said the existing houses in George Town should be allowed to continue because these birdhouses were set up following a 2005 state government guidelines.

“The guidelines allowed swiftlet farming and many birdhouses were erected on that basis.

“The swiftlet farmers have invested a lot of money and it takes at least three years to see returns.

“The association is all for guidelines and regulations, and we are ready to work with the local authority to maintain the houses,” she said.

Sabah to develop bird’s nest industry to help the poor

Friday April 23, 2010
The STar


KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will develop the bird’s nest industry to help improve the incomes of rural people, particularly the poor.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said that 60 people from among the poor would be picked for a project undertaken by the federal Veterinary Services Department to develop the industry nationwide.

Yahya, who is also state Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, told the state assembly that the programme was part of other plans to develop the industry.

He also said the state’s Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry Department as well as Sabah Rural Development Corporation were applying for funds under the 10th Malaysia Plan to develop the industry in rural areas.

He added that the state was participating as a member in formulation of policy and guidelines for the swiftlet industry.

To a question, Yahya said the traditional swiftlet industry at Guamuntong and Madai caves would not be affected by the encouragement of the swiflet farming industry in the state.

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

Sabah moves to streamline swiftlet farming policy

Published: Tuesday April 20, 2010 MYT 2:38:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday April 20, 2010 MYT 2:49:42 PM
The Star
By MUGUNTAN VANAR


KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is moving to draw up policy guidelines on swiftlet farming as the state seeks to soothe ruffled feathers following its ban on bird nest farming in towns.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Nor said that the guidelines would be drawn up with Wildlife Department to put in place to encourage a systematic development of the lucrative birds nest industry.

''I want to stress that the ban on swiftlet farms in urban centres was not a move against the swiftlet industry as we are very aware of the economic potential, he told the house during question hour when the issue of the ban was raised.

''We want the industry to be regulated in a systematic manner. Our decision to ban such farming activities was for environmental, health and cleanliness purposes in the city and towns, he added.

He said the government had good intentions in banning the farming of swiftlets at shophouses, commercial centres and other urban centres in all towns as it was done in the greater interest of the general public in term of cleanliness and health issues.

The state cabinet decided to ban ranching of birds in all town areas statewide but the move drew flak as industry players urged the government reconsider the decision that would affect incomes of scores of people harvesting bird nests

Swiftlet farming ban draws flak

Saturday April 10, 2010
The Star
By MUGUNTAN VANAR
newsdesk@thestar.com.my


KOTA KINABALU: A state Cabinet’s decision to ban swiftlet farming in major urban areas is drawing flak among entrepreneurs of the lucrative birds’ nest business.

Swiftlet farmers are arguing that health and environmental issues should not be the basis of the ban as tests and studies had shown that those birds were not carriers of diseases.

In fact, Sabah Swiftlet House and Birds’ Nest Industry president George Ng said the large presence of pigeons in popular Gaya Street was dirtier than birds found in organised swiftlet farms.

He said major cities like Ipoh and Johor Baru had not stopped such activities.

Thus, he said, there was no reason for the state to ban the industry in major towns like Sandakan, Tawau and the city here.

Ng wondered why the state decided to place a ban as the industry was still awaiting the federal government’s guidelines on swiftlet farming practices.

The state government announced the ban several days ago. State Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai explained that the decision to ban birds’ nest farming in the three towns was partly because it was a public nuisance.

Meanwhile, Sabah Progressive Party questioned the alleged double standards of Kota Kinabalu City Hall for not acting against two birds’ nest farms in the Gaya Street area despite numerous complaints.

SAPP spokesman David Chong said City Hall had shut down similar farms in the Inanam area but refused to act against these two farms in the central business district here.

“The state Cabinet’s decision to ban swiftlet farming should be adhered to strictly,” he added.

Sabah’s swiftlet ban draws flak

The Star
By MUGUNTAN VANAR


KOTA KINABALU: A state cabinet decision to ban swiftlet farming within major urban centres is drawing flak among entrepreneurs of the lucrative bird nest business.

Swiftlet farmers are arguing that ''health and environmental issues should not be the basis of the ban as World Health Organisation tests and studies had shown that the birds are not carriers of diseases.

Sabah Swiftlet House and Bird Nest Industry president George Ng said that large presence of pigeons in the city’s popular Gaya Street was dirtier then the organised swiftlet farming.

He said major cities like Ipoh and Johor Baru had not stopped such activities and, as such, there was no reason for the state to ban the industry in major state towns like Sandakan, Tawau and the city here.

Ng wondered why the state decided to put in place a ban as the industry was still waiting for federal government guidelines for swiftlet farming practice.

State Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai had said the decision to ban the bird nest farming in the three major towns was also because it was a public nuisance.

''Most swiflet farms in town areas use music to attract these birds to return home and this is turned off at 7.30pm. I think even karaoke centres are noisier then our music, Ng said, expressing hope that the state would reconsider the move.

Meanwhile, Sabah Progressive Party questioned the alleged ''double standards” of Kota Kinabalu City Hall for not acting against two bird nests farms in Gaya Street area despite numerous complaints.

SAPP’s spokesman David Chong said city hall has shut down bird nest farms in Inanam area but refused to act against two similar farms in the city’s central business district.

''The state cabinet’s decision to ban swiftlet farming should be adhered to strictly and enforced, he added.

Swiftlet farming rules to be out in two months

Thursday April 1, 2010
The Star
By OH ING YEEN


ingyeen@thestar.com.my

THE state government will come up with guidelines on swiftlet farming within two months, Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said at the full board meeting yesterday.

He was replying to councillor Tan Han Kuo’s question about guidelines for swiftlet farming as Tan said he had received complaints from residents.

“The swiftlet farming issue is not serious in Kajang. It is carried out in commercial areas in Semenyih and, as far as I know, there are no such activities in residential areas,” he said.

Bird's nest: Finding the swift way to earn megabucks

2010/03/29
NST



Swiftlet breeding is a thriving business worth RM1.5 billion annually. The speed at which the industry has grown in the last few years poses a major dilemma for operators and the public due to the health risks, smell and noise. The government is now looking at giving the industry a much-needed framework to operate in a sustainable manner. CHUAH BEE KIM, ZAINUDDIN MUHAMMAD, M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN, PATRICK SENNYAH and ROY GOH report.

Pix: A swiftlet hotel in Kuala Terengganu luring swiftlets with recorded sounds of female birds. — NST picture by Imran Makhzan

FROM caves at the Niah National Park and Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, swiftlet breeders have now taken their business into cities and towns nationwide.

Malaysia now has about 50,000 swiftlet premises producing more than 12 tonnes of bird's nest monthly. The current price of bird's nest is between RM3,000 and RM4,000 per kg, depending on the grade.

Operators are keeping their fingers crossed for government assistance to take the business to a higher level.

Those in Johor, for example, want the government's nod for export licences.

If this happens, they are geared up to put the country on the world map as the biggest exporter of bird's nest.

Those in Negri Sembilan want help in getting halal and Sirim certification as well as the internationally-recognised Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point certification for their products.

They are also hoping to get the government's assistance to set up a research and development facility to enhance the quality and variety of the products.

Datuk Saipolbahari Suib, adviser to Persatuan Pengusaha Industri Sarang Burung Kulai, is confident the industry can achieve the dream if they are given the opportunity to export their harvest.

"Currently, we are sending the bird's nests to Indonesia for processing as we do not have the plants here. If the government can set up processing plants in every district, we will be able to do everything locally and export the products."

Saipolbahari, who is also chairman of JB Bird Nest Resources Sdn Bhd, hopes the government will give a grant of RM400,000 for the setting up of processing centres in every district.

"I am optimistic that we can make it big in the global market as the quality of our nests is one of the best in the market."

In Johor alone, there are about 5,000 bird's nest traders.

Negri Sembilan Association of Bird's Nest Traders president Datuk Lee Yuen Fong says there are about 40,000 breeders nationwide, of which 95 per cent are operating without licences.

"The reason for this is that there is still plenty of red tape and we hope this problem will be ironed out soon."

He says because it is a multimillion-ringgit industry, there are many unscrupulous parties trying to cash in on it.

"Another issue plaguing the industry is smuggling."

Complaints against the swiftlet industry are numerous -- noise pollution is a common gripe of anyone living next to a "swiftlet hotel".

To lure the birds, which breed in colonies, recorded sounds of chirping females are played constantly on speakers.

Saipolbahari says responsible breeders follow the guidelines set by the
Veterinary Services Department, where only a sound level of 40 decibels is permitted.

"Errant traders who do not follow this guideline should have their licences revoked."

Another concern is bird flu. However, Saipolbahari says swiftlets are the cleanest birds around.

"Moreover, the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species had carried out research on swiftlets in 2005 and the birds are not the species that cause bird flu."

Saipolbahari says swiftlet breeding is a godsend to many, especially during the economic downturn, as buildings which have been abandoned or cannot be rented out are revived when swiftlet breeders come in.

Bird's nest: Sabah needs guidelines

NST
2010/03/29




SABAH may be one of the biggest natural producers of edible bird's nest but when it comes to farming the delicacy, it is in its infancy.

Fewer than 100 people are licensed to trade in the nests throughout the state.

State Wildlife Department director Laurentius Ambu believes the industry will grow as more research is carried out and expertise comes in.

"There are signs of swiftlet hotel operators improving their earnings and having better farming techniques to spur the industry to greater heights.

"(In Sabah), there are issues that need to be addressed," says Ambu, who has conducted research in bird's nest farming for nearly a decade.

At present, there are no regulations to guide and monitor bird's nest farming. On top of that, there are negative perceptions about the birds and the business, he adds.




In the state, there are three key natural cave systems where swiftlets thrive. They are the Gomantong, Baturong and Madai caves.

"Gomantong is a government-owned cave while Baturong and Madai are considered heritage caves where the bird's nest trade is operated by the community.

"The three caves produce up to 20 tonnes of bird's nests, about a third of which are the white nests while the rest are black nests," says Ambu.

There are no statistics on how much money it brings to the state but as far as Gomantong is concerned, the contract for harvesting bird's nest comes with a reserve price of about RM20 million.

Ambu explains that the contract is tendered out to licensed contractors twice a year and the highest bidder gets the harvesting rights.

"For Baturong and Madai caves, it is governed by native laws."

The only law that covers bird's nest in Sabah is the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, which provides that anyone in possession of bird's nest or selling it without a permit from the Wildlife Department can be fined. Also, in major towns here, bird's nest farming is not allowed because it is illegal to "run a farm in an urban area".

"The solution is for the government, the local authorities in particular, to determine certain zones where it can or cannot be done. With this and better technology, I am sure the industry can grow," Ambu adds.

Sabah Swiftlet House and Bird's Nest Industry Association president George Ng Aun Heng agrees.



"Certain areas, like housing estates, may not be suitable for swiftlet farming but what about abandoned buildings? It can also be done at oil palm plantations or other big areas.



"If the government can come up with guidelines, I am sure farmers are willing to comply because this is a lucrative trade which requires a substantial amount of capital.

"There are negative perceptions, probably spread by people who are envious of the success of others, and most of them are untrue."

Ng says there are ways to minimise the noise and the smell at farms.

"It's a matter of educating the public and those who want to venture into the trade but, at the same time, we need commitment from the government because at the end of the day, it's the state that will benefit."

For that, the association, formed six months ago and which now has about 40 members, is on a drive to teach people about proper bird's nest farming techniques, apart from lobbying the government to introduce proper guidelines.

Cabinet to look into bird’s nest guideline

Friday February 19, 2010
The Star


KUALA LUMPUR: The Swiftlet Industry Guideline, expected to be presented to the Cabinet next week, will give the industry a much-needed framework to operate in a sustainable manner.

The guideline, if accepted, will put Malaysia ahead of leading bird’s nest producers like Indonesia and Thailand.

“It will be the first swiftlet industry guideline in the world,” said Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin.

The swiftlet industry is worth RM1.5bil annually.

The guideline, he added, would provide the framework to supervise the industry in a holistic way, including in terms of licensing, sampling, production and export of swiftlet bird’s nest abroad, particularly to China.

Dr Aziz said the guideline had the full support of the Health, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, and the Housing and Local Government ministries.

The speed at which the industry grew over the last few years has resulted in a major dilemma over the licensing of swiftlet-rearing premises in shophouses, due to the health risk, smell and noise.

Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants Association chairman Datuk Beh Heng Seong said the guideline would resolve the problem as owners of premises would have to agree with the conditions if they wanted to remain in business.

“It will become a standard for all local authorities,” he said.

Malaysia has about 50,000 swiftlet premises producing over 12 tonnes of bird’s nest monthly.

One kilogram of bird’s nest can fetch RM4,000. – Bernama

Relief for Malacca swiftlet breeders

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.