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
Showing posts with label hazard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hazard. Show all posts
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, October 30, 2009
Three-month freeze on new licences in Sepang
Friday October 30, 2009
The Star
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAB) will carry out a three-month Environmental Impact Study on swiftlets and its impact on bird strikes, Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) Town Planning director Yunus Kashib said after the MPSp fullboard meeting recently.
“MAB will do a comparison study of different airports such as those in East Malaysia as well as Indonesia, where the swiftlet industry is booming.
“There were two incidents where swiftlets were the cause, but only a DNA report, which will take three months, will determine which species was the actual culprit.
“The current licence holders can continue their activities but the council will not issue new licences for the time being,” he said.
The Star
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAB) will carry out a three-month Environmental Impact Study on swiftlets and its impact on bird strikes, Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) Town Planning director Yunus Kashib said after the MPSp fullboard meeting recently.
“MAB will do a comparison study of different airports such as those in East Malaysia as well as Indonesia, where the swiftlet industry is booming.
“There were two incidents where swiftlets were the cause, but only a DNA report, which will take three months, will determine which species was the actual culprit.
“The current licence holders can continue their activities but the council will not issue new licences for the time being,” he said.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Swiftlet Farms to Stay
By OH ING YEEN
14 OCt 2009
THERE is a boom in swiftlet farming in Sepang, but the authorities are concerned that some of these birds may get in the way of aircraft using the KL International Airport (KLIA).
The Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp), which had stopped issuing permits for swiftlet breeding in the municipality, had directed the breeders to move 40km away from KLIA as there have been cases of birds getting sucked into the engines when they fly too close to the aircraft.
The Sepang Swiftlets Merchants Association (SSMA), meanwhile, argue that the birds which get tangled in the aircraft engines are not swiftlets, thus there is no basis for the swiftlet farmers to relocate.
MPSp president Azizan Mohamad Sidin said the laws pertaining to swiftlet breeding were clear and the farmers must comply with the ruling.
“The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) guidelines state that swiftlet farmers must operate outside the 40km radius of the KL International Airport (KLIA).
“It is dangerous when the birds fly into the engines especially during take-off as it can cause the aircraft to crash,” said Azizan.
ISSMA secretary Mah Swee Lye said during a meeting held last week with MPSp and Malaysia Airport Berhad (MAB), it was decided that the existing swiftlet farmers did not have to relocate.
“The airport authorities suspect that the birds getting tangled into aircraft were swiftlets but there was no proof from Perhilitan to back their claims.
“It will take between two and three years for a DNA report to determine the species of birds that get tangled in the engines.
“They should get proof and provide data on how many accidents have been caused by swiftlets before asking the farmers to relocate,” he said.
Business as usual: An aircraft flying over a swiftlet farm near Sungai Pelek, Sepang.
According to Mah, there are about 100 swiftlet breeders in Sepang and Kuala Langat.
“The existing farmers in Sepang will carry on with their farming but there is a temporary freeze on permits for new breeders.
“In Palembang and Surabaya, Indonesia, there are more swiftlet farmers there but there are no complaints,” he said.
According to information provided by the council, MAB will conduct an in-depth study on the effects of swiftlet breeding on KLIA. They will appoint consultants and present the study to the airport authorities.
MAB will also collect data on birds getting tangled in the engines of aircraft in Kuching and Sibu and also airports in Indonesia.
With the cooperation of the association, the council will obtain data of the exact location of swiftlet farms in Sepang.
This is to identify the number of swiftlets and its colonies in Sepang.
Meanwhile, MPSp councillor Lau Weng Chan felt that swiftlet farming should not be allowed near airports.
“It is too risky. And it won’t be good if foreigners know that swiftlets or any other birds are near the airports,” she said.
Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said while it had yet to be proven whether swiftlets were the species of birds getting tangled in aircraft around the KLIA area, it might contribute to the risk.
“In aviation, we have to take all precautionary measures. Bird strike is treated seriously because it causes damage to aircraft.
“Migratory birds are one of the factors especially when they fly from south to north. ” he said.
14 OCt 2009
THERE is a boom in swiftlet farming in Sepang, but the authorities are concerned that some of these birds may get in the way of aircraft using the KL International Airport (KLIA).
The Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp), which had stopped issuing permits for swiftlet breeding in the municipality, had directed the breeders to move 40km away from KLIA as there have been cases of birds getting sucked into the engines when they fly too close to the aircraft.
The Sepang Swiftlets Merchants Association (SSMA), meanwhile, argue that the birds which get tangled in the aircraft engines are not swiftlets, thus there is no basis for the swiftlet farmers to relocate.
MPSp president Azizan Mohamad Sidin said the laws pertaining to swiftlet breeding were clear and the farmers must comply with the ruling.
“The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) guidelines state that swiftlet farmers must operate outside the 40km radius of the KL International Airport (KLIA).
“It is dangerous when the birds fly into the engines especially during take-off as it can cause the aircraft to crash,” said Azizan.
ISSMA secretary Mah Swee Lye said during a meeting held last week with MPSp and Malaysia Airport Berhad (MAB), it was decided that the existing swiftlet farmers did not have to relocate.
“The airport authorities suspect that the birds getting tangled into aircraft were swiftlets but there was no proof from Perhilitan to back their claims.
“It will take between two and three years for a DNA report to determine the species of birds that get tangled in the engines.
“They should get proof and provide data on how many accidents have been caused by swiftlets before asking the farmers to relocate,” he said.
Business as usual: An aircraft flying over a swiftlet farm near Sungai Pelek, Sepang.
According to Mah, there are about 100 swiftlet breeders in Sepang and Kuala Langat.
“The existing farmers in Sepang will carry on with their farming but there is a temporary freeze on permits for new breeders.
“In Palembang and Surabaya, Indonesia, there are more swiftlet farmers there but there are no complaints,” he said.
According to information provided by the council, MAB will conduct an in-depth study on the effects of swiftlet breeding on KLIA. They will appoint consultants and present the study to the airport authorities.
MAB will also collect data on birds getting tangled in the engines of aircraft in Kuching and Sibu and also airports in Indonesia.
With the cooperation of the association, the council will obtain data of the exact location of swiftlet farms in Sepang.
This is to identify the number of swiftlets and its colonies in Sepang.
Meanwhile, MPSp councillor Lau Weng Chan felt that swiftlet farming should not be allowed near airports.
“It is too risky. And it won’t be good if foreigners know that swiftlets or any other birds are near the airports,” she said.
Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said while it had yet to be proven whether swiftlets were the species of birds getting tangled in aircraft around the KLIA area, it might contribute to the risk.
“In aviation, we have to take all precautionary measures. Bird strike is treated seriously because it causes damage to aircraft.
“Migratory birds are one of the factors especially when they fly from south to north. ” he said.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Swallow breeders to move 40km away from airport
OH ING YEEN
at Sepang Municipal Council full board meeting
WHILE birds’ nests are considered a delicacy for some, swiftlets flying into the airplane’s engines as it takes off is a nuisance and a safety hazard.
According to Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) president Azizan Mohamad Sidin, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) guidelines state that swiftlet farmers must be outside the 40km radius of the KL International Airport (KLIA).
“It is dangerous when the birds fly into the engines as the planes take off as the planes may crash.
“The guidelines say that it has to be done on agriculture land. We won’t allow the activity in shoplots or abandoned buildings.
“There are those that are located within a 10km radius from the airport. We suggest that they relocate to Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor, or Sabak Bernam. We can’t be harsh on them because they have to make a living but we have the public safety in mind,” he said.
There will be a meeting with the members of the Sepang Swiftlet Entrepreneurs Association next week to discuss the matter.
at Sepang Municipal Council full board meeting
WHILE birds’ nests are considered a delicacy for some, swiftlets flying into the airplane’s engines as it takes off is a nuisance and a safety hazard.
According to Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) president Azizan Mohamad Sidin, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) guidelines state that swiftlet farmers must be outside the 40km radius of the KL International Airport (KLIA).
“It is dangerous when the birds fly into the engines as the planes take off as the planes may crash.
“The guidelines say that it has to be done on agriculture land. We won’t allow the activity in shoplots or abandoned buildings.
“There are those that are located within a 10km radius from the airport. We suggest that they relocate to Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor, or Sabak Bernam. We can’t be harsh on them because they have to make a living but we have the public safety in mind,” he said.
There will be a meeting with the members of the Sepang Swiftlet Entrepreneurs Association next week to discuss the matter.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Swiftlet rearing in town a health threat
Friday February 6, 2009
DR T K HO, London.
I READ with keen interest the article “Ministry must be firm in dengue fight” (The Star, Feb 1).
As most of us know, dengue fever is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with headache, fever, exhaustion, severe joint and muscle pains, lymphadenopathy (swollen glands), and rashes.
The presence of fever, rashes and headache (and other pains), i.e. the “dengue triad”, is particularly characteristic of dengue. The more severe form of dengue, dengue haemorrhagic fever, can present as headache, fever, rashes, and evidence of haemorrhage or bleeding in the body.
Petechiae (small red or purple blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising are all possible signs of haemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening or even fatal.
The Health Ministry should definitely be firm and take actions ranging from primary health care to tertiary health care. I also wish to add that the general public themselves need to take measures to prevent the breeding of the aedes mosquitos.
No matter how much effort the Ministry puts in to combat the disease, the result will likely be unsatisfactory if the public continue to be apathetic towards the fight against dengue.
I wish to highlight a very good example which I hope the authorities will take note of and do the necessary.
On my recent visit to Sitiawan and Pantai Remis in Manjung district, Perak, I noticed the widespread practice of converting shophouses into breeding grounds for swiftlets in order to collect “birds’ nest”, an expensive delicacy.
These shophouses are located in a densely populated area in the town centre. In order to attract birds into these converted shophouses to build nests, the shophouses are left unoccupied and the owners place clean water which can be left stagnant for days. Obviously, the water left in the shophouses provide the ideal breeding environment for aedes mosquitoes.
In addition, the birds can also carry infectious diseases such as meningitis from their droppings, not to mention the risk of bird flu. It seems that the owners of these shophouses are willing to jeopardise the health of their neighbours and the public for monetary gain.
These converted shophouses are health hazards and are a time bomb for a serious epidemic outbreak.
DR T K HO, London.
I READ with keen interest the article “Ministry must be firm in dengue fight” (The Star, Feb 1).
As most of us know, dengue fever is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with headache, fever, exhaustion, severe joint and muscle pains, lymphadenopathy (swollen glands), and rashes.
The presence of fever, rashes and headache (and other pains), i.e. the “dengue triad”, is particularly characteristic of dengue. The more severe form of dengue, dengue haemorrhagic fever, can present as headache, fever, rashes, and evidence of haemorrhage or bleeding in the body.
Petechiae (small red or purple blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising are all possible signs of haemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening or even fatal.
The Health Ministry should definitely be firm and take actions ranging from primary health care to tertiary health care. I also wish to add that the general public themselves need to take measures to prevent the breeding of the aedes mosquitos.
No matter how much effort the Ministry puts in to combat the disease, the result will likely be unsatisfactory if the public continue to be apathetic towards the fight against dengue.
I wish to highlight a very good example which I hope the authorities will take note of and do the necessary.
On my recent visit to Sitiawan and Pantai Remis in Manjung district, Perak, I noticed the widespread practice of converting shophouses into breeding grounds for swiftlets in order to collect “birds’ nest”, an expensive delicacy.
These shophouses are located in a densely populated area in the town centre. In order to attract birds into these converted shophouses to build nests, the shophouses are left unoccupied and the owners place clean water which can be left stagnant for days. Obviously, the water left in the shophouses provide the ideal breeding environment for aedes mosquitoes.
In addition, the birds can also carry infectious diseases such as meningitis from their droppings, not to mention the risk of bird flu. It seems that the owners of these shophouses are willing to jeopardise the health of their neighbours and the public for monetary gain.
These converted shophouses are health hazards and are a time bomb for a serious epidemic outbreak.
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