hello, hello.. the term "blood nest" has been used by Chinese for centuries in reference to red coloured nests. The term was not coined by any conmen. Red nests do occur naturally in caves or in swiftlet houses. There might be unscrupulous people trying to cash in on the demands with fakes but consumers should also not be mislead to believe that all red nests are fake.
The nests comes in many other colours as well, black, brown, orange, yellow etc. Black nests are common in Indonesia as well. They are cheaper and many traders bleach them and sell them as white nests as well. So does that means that consumers stop buying white nests as well?
At the end of the day, consumers should be made aware of the different types of nests and the credibility of the source of the nests they are buying from. Saying that all red nests are fake is likened to saying that all white nests are fakes as well.
Jackie
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Saturday August 28, 2010
Shops still selling blood nests
The Star
By CHAN LI LEEN, ANDREA FILMER and LEE YUK PENG
newsdesk@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Some shops have stopped selling the controversial “blood nest” while those who are still selling it are adamant that it is premium quality bird’s nest.
The Star had on Monday reported that “blood nest” – a much sought-after variety of bird’s nest – was actually tainted with chemicals.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong who exposed the scam last week, said the red tainted bird’s nest was dangerous to health.
Federation of Bird’s Nest Merchants Associations chairman Datuk Beh Heng Seong said the term “blood nest” was coined by conmen and the tainted item was priced up to RM20,000 a kilo or twice the price of genuine ivory-coloured bird’s nest.
A shop selling different varieties of bird’s nest here, including the “blood nest”, had insisted that their “red nest” was a natural product from Indonesia.
“It is priced higher than the rest because it is more nutritious,” said an employee of the shop, claiming that the dark red bird’s nest was harvested from caves in Indonesia, and no chemicals were added.
In Penang, the area manager for the Eu Yan Sang branch in Lebuh Chulia, Anny Wang, said: “We stopped selling the red bird’s nest a few years ago but I am not sure why.
“There have been a few calls from concerned people asking about dyed bird’s nests, but our products are all certified to be without chemicals, preservatives and sulphur,” she said.
Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry Penang branch president Carole Loh condemned sellers who profiteered by dyeing their bird’s nests red, saying that it was unethical and gave the industry a bad reputation.
In Ipoh, Chinese medicine shop owner in Ipoh, Lian Kim Keong, insisted that “blood nest” had existed for centuries.
“It has been around from the time when people did not know of the chemicals claimed to have been used to make the bird’s nest appear red,” said Lian who is also Malaysia Entrepreneurs’ Development Association (Perak) chairman.
He said “blood nests” were from Thailand, while the ivory-coloured bird’s nests were harvested in Malaysia and the yellow “flower nests” were from Indonesia.
Showing posts with label health risks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health risks. Show all posts
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Health Ministry to conduct checks on bird’s nest
Tuesday August 24, 2010
By LEE YUK PENG and CHRISTINA TAN
newsdesk@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry’s Food and Safety Department will collect samples of bird’s nest on sale in the market to check for contamination with dangerous chemicals.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said this came in the wake of reports of traders adding chemicals to bird’s nest to turn them into red “blood’s nest” to mark up the price.
He warned traders that those found guilty of using non-permitted colouring could be jailed up to five years or fined up to RM100,000 or both under the Food Act.
Liow said the image of the billion ringgit a year bird’s nest industry must not be tarnished especially when most of the production were for export.
He said the ministry had yet to receive any complaints on tainted bird’s nest.
The Star reported yesterday that “blood nest” — a much sought after variety of bird’s nest — was actually tainted with chemicals.
While the normal bird’s nest, which is ivory in colour, can fetch up to RM10,000 a kilo, the reddish “blood nest” fetches up to RM20,000 a kilo.
In exposing the scam, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong said this tainted bird’s nests was dangerous to health.
He said the nests were either sprayed with iodine or stored at premises where there was high ammonia content to give them a uniform bright-red colour.
By LEE YUK PENG and CHRISTINA TAN
newsdesk@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry’s Food and Safety Department will collect samples of bird’s nest on sale in the market to check for contamination with dangerous chemicals.
Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said this came in the wake of reports of traders adding chemicals to bird’s nest to turn them into red “blood’s nest” to mark up the price.
He warned traders that those found guilty of using non-permitted colouring could be jailed up to five years or fined up to RM100,000 or both under the Food Act.
Liow said the image of the billion ringgit a year bird’s nest industry must not be tarnished especially when most of the production were for export.
He said the ministry had yet to receive any complaints on tainted bird’s nest.
The Star reported yesterday that “blood nest” — a much sought after variety of bird’s nest — was actually tainted with chemicals.
While the normal bird’s nest, which is ivory in colour, can fetch up to RM10,000 a kilo, the reddish “blood nest” fetches up to RM20,000 a kilo.
In exposing the scam, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong said this tainted bird’s nests was dangerous to health.
He said the nests were either sprayed with iodine or stored at premises where there was high ammonia content to give them a uniform bright-red colour.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Consumers fall for Nest-y scam
Happy that the authorities are paying attention to the birdnest industry but unfortunately so far they seems to be more interested in publicising the negative side of this industry. I am sure they can score some brownie points as well by publicising the positives of the bird nest industry.
Not all red nests are fake. These guys forgot to mention that red nests occur naturally as well whether in caves or birdhouse.
Jackie
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Monday August 23, 2010
The Star
By NG CHENG YEE
chengyee@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: “Blood nest” – a much sought after variety of bird’s nest – is actually tainted with dangerous chemicals to deceive consumers into paying double the price for a premium grade.
While the normal bird’s nest, which is ivory in colour, can fetch up to RM10,000 a kilo, the reddish “blood nest” fetches up to RM20,000 a kilo.
Traders justify the exorbitant price by claiming the “blood nest” is a premium grade of the Chinese delicacy.
In exposing this scam on Saturday, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong said these tainted bird’s nests were dangerous to health and may even be fatal when consumed by humans.
He said the nests were either sprayed with iodine or stored at premises where there was high ammonia content to give them a uniform bright-red colour.
“Some also use karya gum (from a soft wooded tree) to give the bird’s nest its reddish colour,” he told The Star.
Chua advised the public against purchasing bird’s nest from dubious traders and urged the industry to practise self-regulation to ensure the quality and safety of the product.
He said that all bird’s nests must have a Veterinary Service Department health certificate before they could be exported.
Federation of Bird’s Nest Merchants Associations chairman Datuk Beh Heng Seong said the term “blood nest” was coined by conmen and that there was “no such thing”.
“Bird’s nest is made up of the saliva of swiflets and is ivory in colour. It is impossible for bird’s nest to be red in colour.
“The so-called blood nests have high levels of nitrates from the artificial red colouring added to it,” Beh said, admitting that many consumers had been deceived into paying a high price for the dangerous product.
He said a kilo of bird’s nest costs between RM8,000 and RM10,000 in the market depending on the grade while a kilo of the “blood nest” was between RM15,000 and RM20,000.
Beh said Malaysia produced some 240 tonnes of bird’s nest worth RM1bil a year and 90% of it was exported to China.
Asked whether the federation, comprising 19 associations and 10,000 members nationwide, had tried to rein in those who were cheating consumers, he said they were looking at educating consumers on bird’s nests and coming up with guidelines for the industry.
Meanwhile, Fomca secretary-general Muhd Sha’ani Abdullah urged the Health Ministry to issue guidelines on what a genuine bird’s nest was and to warn consumers of bird’s nests with added colouring.
He said so far, they have not received any complaint from consumers on the so-called “blood nest” but added that could be because consumers were unaware of tainted products in the market.
He suggested that the Health Ministry issue certificates for untainted products.
“Traders should also be responsible by making sure no harmful chemicals are used in their products,” said Muhd Sha’ani.
Not all red nests are fake. These guys forgot to mention that red nests occur naturally as well whether in caves or birdhouse.
Jackie
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Monday August 23, 2010
The Star
By NG CHENG YEE
chengyee@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: “Blood nest” – a much sought after variety of bird’s nest – is actually tainted with dangerous chemicals to deceive consumers into paying double the price for a premium grade.
While the normal bird’s nest, which is ivory in colour, can fetch up to RM10,000 a kilo, the reddish “blood nest” fetches up to RM20,000 a kilo.
Traders justify the exorbitant price by claiming the “blood nest” is a premium grade of the Chinese delicacy.
In exposing this scam on Saturday, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong said these tainted bird’s nests were dangerous to health and may even be fatal when consumed by humans.
He said the nests were either sprayed with iodine or stored at premises where there was high ammonia content to give them a uniform bright-red colour.
“Some also use karya gum (from a soft wooded tree) to give the bird’s nest its reddish colour,” he told The Star.
Chua advised the public against purchasing bird’s nest from dubious traders and urged the industry to practise self-regulation to ensure the quality and safety of the product.
He said that all bird’s nests must have a Veterinary Service Department health certificate before they could be exported.
Federation of Bird’s Nest Merchants Associations chairman Datuk Beh Heng Seong said the term “blood nest” was coined by conmen and that there was “no such thing”.
“Bird’s nest is made up of the saliva of swiflets and is ivory in colour. It is impossible for bird’s nest to be red in colour.
“The so-called blood nests have high levels of nitrates from the artificial red colouring added to it,” Beh said, admitting that many consumers had been deceived into paying a high price for the dangerous product.
He said a kilo of bird’s nest costs between RM8,000 and RM10,000 in the market depending on the grade while a kilo of the “blood nest” was between RM15,000 and RM20,000.
Beh said Malaysia produced some 240 tonnes of bird’s nest worth RM1bil a year and 90% of it was exported to China.
Asked whether the federation, comprising 19 associations and 10,000 members nationwide, had tried to rein in those who were cheating consumers, he said they were looking at educating consumers on bird’s nests and coming up with guidelines for the industry.
Meanwhile, Fomca secretary-general Muhd Sha’ani Abdullah urged the Health Ministry to issue guidelines on what a genuine bird’s nest was and to warn consumers of bird’s nests with added colouring.
He said so far, they have not received any complaint from consumers on the so-called “blood nest” but added that could be because consumers were unaware of tainted products in the market.
He suggested that the Health Ministry issue certificates for untainted products.
“Traders should also be responsible by making sure no harmful chemicals are used in their products,” said Muhd Sha’ani.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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
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
Friday, October 30, 2009
Industry players want more govt support
Friday October 30, 2009
The Star
By THO XIN YI
SWIFTLET farming is gaining popularity in the country with many entrepreneurs setting up houses for the birds.
In Selangor alone, there are about 2,000 “hotels” for the swiftlets to build their nests.
One striking feature of the multistorey buildings is the absence of doors and ventilation holes.
Malaysian Federation of Associations of Bird’s Nests Merchants secretary Mah Swee Lye said the industry made its presence felt in the country about 10 years ago.
“Swiftlets began inhabiting vacant shoplots, to the surprise of the owners.
“Gradually, we picked up the know-how from our Indonesian counterparts, who have been in the business for at least 80 years, and brought the knowledge back here,” he said.
Currently, Indonesia still tops the bird’s nest supply chain by catering to 80% of the demand worldwide, followed by Malaysia, Thailand and other South-East Asian countries.
“The competition is intense. A swiftlet farmer needs both expertise and luck to succeed,” Mah said.
The owners of the bird houses do not actually rear the swiftlets.
Instead, they only set up the ‘hotel’ with the right temperature (28°C) and humidity (85%) to provide a suitable habitat, and then install the swiftlet tweeters to attract the birds.
“The swiftlets usually leave the house in the morning to hunt for food, and then return in the evening.
“They can live in the same house for generations,” Mah said.
He added that harvesting the nests did not deprive the birds of a place to stay.
“Swiftlets build nests only when it is time to lay eggs and once the birds learn to fly, the nests can safely be harvested.
“The birds do not sleep in the nests but perch vertically on the wooden planks.
“If their nests have been harvested, they will make new ones when it is time for another reproductive cycle,” Mah said.
The noise and hygiene issues of the industry often draw criticism and objections from the public, but Mah said a responsible farmer could eliminate these potential problems.
“The speakers should be positioned in such a way that they face the sky instead of the opposite buildings, and they should be switched off at night.
“A bird house should also be cleaned every two weeks to clear the faeces but some operators have the misconception that the smell attracts more birds,” he said.
Mah said the bird droppings made good fertiliser.
Nevertheless, the federation is pushing for the new guidelines to be implemented to achieve a win-win situation for the operators and the public.
“The federation’s chairman, Datuk Beh Heng Seong, has recently launched the guidelines in Kedah.
“One of the clauses is that new bird houses can only be constructed in light industrial areas, agricultural land and city outskirts,” Mah said.
He also hoped that the federal government could support and legalise the industry nationwide as the operators had difficulty in obtaining bank loans to start this business.
The Star
By THO XIN YI
SWIFTLET farming is gaining popularity in the country with many entrepreneurs setting up houses for the birds.
In Selangor alone, there are about 2,000 “hotels” for the swiftlets to build their nests.
One striking feature of the multistorey buildings is the absence of doors and ventilation holes.
Malaysian Federation of Associations of Bird’s Nests Merchants secretary Mah Swee Lye said the industry made its presence felt in the country about 10 years ago.
“Swiftlets began inhabiting vacant shoplots, to the surprise of the owners.
“Gradually, we picked up the know-how from our Indonesian counterparts, who have been in the business for at least 80 years, and brought the knowledge back here,” he said.
Currently, Indonesia still tops the bird’s nest supply chain by catering to 80% of the demand worldwide, followed by Malaysia, Thailand and other South-East Asian countries.
“The competition is intense. A swiftlet farmer needs both expertise and luck to succeed,” Mah said.
The owners of the bird houses do not actually rear the swiftlets.
Instead, they only set up the ‘hotel’ with the right temperature (28°C) and humidity (85%) to provide a suitable habitat, and then install the swiftlet tweeters to attract the birds.
“The swiftlets usually leave the house in the morning to hunt for food, and then return in the evening.
“They can live in the same house for generations,” Mah said.
He added that harvesting the nests did not deprive the birds of a place to stay.
“Swiftlets build nests only when it is time to lay eggs and once the birds learn to fly, the nests can safely be harvested.
“The birds do not sleep in the nests but perch vertically on the wooden planks.
“If their nests have been harvested, they will make new ones when it is time for another reproductive cycle,” Mah said.
The noise and hygiene issues of the industry often draw criticism and objections from the public, but Mah said a responsible farmer could eliminate these potential problems.
“The speakers should be positioned in such a way that they face the sky instead of the opposite buildings, and they should be switched off at night.
“A bird house should also be cleaned every two weeks to clear the faeces but some operators have the misconception that the smell attracts more birds,” he said.
Mah said the bird droppings made good fertiliser.
Nevertheless, the federation is pushing for the new guidelines to be implemented to achieve a win-win situation for the operators and the public.
“The federation’s chairman, Datuk Beh Heng Seong, has recently launched the guidelines in Kedah.
“One of the clauses is that new bird houses can only be constructed in light industrial areas, agricultural land and city outskirts,” Mah said.
He also hoped that the federal government could support and legalise the industry nationwide as the operators had difficulty in obtaining bank loans to start this business.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
No short-term gains from swiftlet farming
A reader wrote to The Star
I REFER to the various articles on swiftlet farming as well as letters from the CAP and Dennis Gong “Swiftlets are a real hygenic lot” (The Star, Sept 2).
Being an expert in swiftlet farming, I would like to give a few pointers.
The species Aerodramus fuciphagus do not litter their droppings. Their droppings are only within the birdhouse. Extensive droppings in many towns are not from these swiftlets but from mud swallows that make their nest underneath shophouses.
Indeed, swiftlets are hygienic and do not mix with other birds. The moment they fly out of the bird-house, they will not touch the ground until they return to the bird-house. Swiftlets also prey on harmful insects, like fruit flies etc, and can increase the yield of farmers and reduce the use of pesticides. They are natural pest control agents.
However, in the long term, it is important that swiftlet houses are not located in shophouses in town centres due to aesthetics and noise pollution. They should be stand-alone units within agricultural areas.
They should also be located about 40km away from airports as they could pose a danger to planes.
Apart from that, swiftlet houses should conform to good farming practices as outlined by the Ministry of Agriculture.
As swiftlet farming is now increasingly seen as a financial gold mine, there are a few pointers potential investors must understand.
One disturbing trend is the development of huge bird-house complexes in one location. These are sold as units to potential buyers on the claim that these bird-houses will be filled with birds within a short time.
It is very unlikely that such huge bird-houses of hundreds of units can be filled within a short time. It will take 10 to 20 years or more for these massive bird-houses to be filled due to the slow natural population growth of the swiftlets in that particular locality.
As such, potential investors should make in-depth studies and consult experts in swiftlet farming before investing as the failure rate is more than 70%. The million ringgit investment may yield zero returns.
Apart from that, there are other quick-get-rich schemes using swiftlet farming as a front for their scam. Swiftlet farming entails a low initial return of one to five years, peaking only in the seventh to 10th year.
As such, it is impossible for the operators to give immediate 3% to 5% returns per month.
NATURE LOVER,
Kuala Lumpur.
I REFER to the various articles on swiftlet farming as well as letters from the CAP and Dennis Gong “Swiftlets are a real hygenic lot” (The Star, Sept 2).
Being an expert in swiftlet farming, I would like to give a few pointers.
The species Aerodramus fuciphagus do not litter their droppings. Their droppings are only within the birdhouse. Extensive droppings in many towns are not from these swiftlets but from mud swallows that make their nest underneath shophouses.
Indeed, swiftlets are hygienic and do not mix with other birds. The moment they fly out of the bird-house, they will not touch the ground until they return to the bird-house. Swiftlets also prey on harmful insects, like fruit flies etc, and can increase the yield of farmers and reduce the use of pesticides. They are natural pest control agents.
However, in the long term, it is important that swiftlet houses are not located in shophouses in town centres due to aesthetics and noise pollution. They should be stand-alone units within agricultural areas.
They should also be located about 40km away from airports as they could pose a danger to planes.
Apart from that, swiftlet houses should conform to good farming practices as outlined by the Ministry of Agriculture.
As swiftlet farming is now increasingly seen as a financial gold mine, there are a few pointers potential investors must understand.
One disturbing trend is the development of huge bird-house complexes in one location. These are sold as units to potential buyers on the claim that these bird-houses will be filled with birds within a short time.
It is very unlikely that such huge bird-houses of hundreds of units can be filled within a short time. It will take 10 to 20 years or more for these massive bird-houses to be filled due to the slow natural population growth of the swiftlets in that particular locality.
As such, potential investors should make in-depth studies and consult experts in swiftlet farming before investing as the failure rate is more than 70%. The million ringgit investment may yield zero returns.
Apart from that, there are other quick-get-rich schemes using swiftlet farming as a front for their scam. Swiftlet farming entails a low initial return of one to five years, peaking only in the seventh to 10th year.
As such, it is impossible for the operators to give immediate 3% to 5% returns per month.
NATURE LOVER,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Just taking wing but it’s an honest trade
Tuesday February 10, 2009
OH KEAN SHEN,Penang.
I REFFR to the letter “Swiftlet rearing in town a health threat” by Dr T.K. Ho (The Star, Feb 6) and I would like to share my views on this.
Firstly, I like to thank the writer for his concern as a medical expert. I only ask him to study the matter more throroughly before making such remarks. Dengue fever has been around for a while and during that time, the swiftlet industry was not at this magnitude. So why blame it on the swiftlet industry?
Bird’s nest business has existed for centuries. Initially, the nests came from caves but the Indonesians have developed the technology to farm them in houses. In the past, this technology has been secretly guarded by a small number of people.
The business is now growing and contributing to 0.5% of Indonesia’s economy. The technology has spread to more people today.
According to Jabatan Haiwan and Jabatan Perhilitan, the chances of swiftlets (edible nest type or EBN) of contracting and spreading bird flu is minimal because EBN swiftlets are non-migratory and they do not share flying or roosting space with other birds. Swiftlets do not have the same food and water sources as other birds.
The writer is correct in saying that one of the ways of controlling the correct temperature and humidity in the farm is to have stagnant ponds. But this has been replaced by humidifiers which do not allow the breeding of aedes mosquitoes.
We should not kill an industry or business just because of a stagnant pond. We must be innovative and find new methods to solve the problem and not destroy a whole business.
We are keen to work closely with anyone who is able to contribute towards the future of the swiftlet business. We even take Dr Ho’s comment with a positive note.
The business is not a time bomb for a serious epidemic outbreak. It is a business conducted by people who have put in a lot of their hard-earned monies to try and build up an honest business.
The business is new and there is much work to be done to make it professional but it is an honest one. We agree that there should be rules and regulations to guide and manage the business and such regulations must be drawn up with the help of people who are in the know and also those who are in this business.
OH KEAN SHEN,Penang.
I REFFR to the letter “Swiftlet rearing in town a health threat” by Dr T.K. Ho (The Star, Feb 6) and I would like to share my views on this.
Firstly, I like to thank the writer for his concern as a medical expert. I only ask him to study the matter more throroughly before making such remarks. Dengue fever has been around for a while and during that time, the swiftlet industry was not at this magnitude. So why blame it on the swiftlet industry?
Bird’s nest business has existed for centuries. Initially, the nests came from caves but the Indonesians have developed the technology to farm them in houses. In the past, this technology has been secretly guarded by a small number of people.
The business is now growing and contributing to 0.5% of Indonesia’s economy. The technology has spread to more people today.
According to Jabatan Haiwan and Jabatan Perhilitan, the chances of swiftlets (edible nest type or EBN) of contracting and spreading bird flu is minimal because EBN swiftlets are non-migratory and they do not share flying or roosting space with other birds. Swiftlets do not have the same food and water sources as other birds.
The writer is correct in saying that one of the ways of controlling the correct temperature and humidity in the farm is to have stagnant ponds. But this has been replaced by humidifiers which do not allow the breeding of aedes mosquitoes.
We should not kill an industry or business just because of a stagnant pond. We must be innovative and find new methods to solve the problem and not destroy a whole business.
We are keen to work closely with anyone who is able to contribute towards the future of the swiftlet business. We even take Dr Ho’s comment with a positive note.
The business is not a time bomb for a serious epidemic outbreak. It is a business conducted by people who have put in a lot of their hard-earned monies to try and build up an honest business.
The business is new and there is much work to be done to make it professional but it is an honest one. We agree that there should be rules and regulations to guide and manage the business and such regulations must be drawn up with the help of people who are in the know and also those who are in this business.
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.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Rising investments in swiftlet farming boost Malaysia’s bird nest exports
Saturday December 13, 2008
The Star
Stories By ERROL OH
ALL businesses are built on blood, sweat and tears, at least in the figurative sense. But one industry thrives on another bodily fluid – saliva. Bird saliva, that is. And not just any bird. It has to be the swiftlet, whose nests of hardened spit have been a delicacy treasured by the Chinese for centuries.
Depending on the quality, marketplace and timing, a kilogramme of unprocessed edible bird nest can fetch a few thousand ringgit.
The processing, a tedious and labour-intensive affair, typically doubles the value of the nests. Quoting a senior Sabah government official, a news report early last month says bird nest is sold at RM4,000 to RM18,000 per kg.
The global market is said to be worth billions of ringgit. Thanks to its head start of 20 years or so in swiftlet farming on a commercial scale, Indonesia supplies 70% to 80% of the bird nests consumed worldwide, mainly in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Macau, Singapore and North America.
Heng believes swiftlet farming is a great investment opportunity
However, swiftlet farming is an increasingly visible business in Malaysia. Given the high rate of innovation and adoption here, there is a good chance of Malaysia growing its current market share of about 10%.
(Some people use the words ranching or breeding instead of farming. Actually, none is accurate because the operators merely provide a nesting environment for the birds, which come and go freely. Perhaps a more appropriate term is swiftlet hosting.)
Dr Christopher Lim, a nephrologist who has succeeded as a part-time swiftlet farmer and has authored a how-to book on the subject, says there are about 22,000 swiftlet farms (also known as swiftlet hotels, swiftlet houses or birdhouses) in Malaysia. He estimates that there are 200 new ones every month.
This explains the increasing frequency of complaints from residents and business owners about birdhouses in their neighbourhoods.
If you happen to be near swiftlet farms, it will not take you long to notice them. You will hear loud, piercing chirps filling the sky. This comes from CDs that are played to attract the birds. And if you look around, you are likely to spot windowless buildings (usually shophouses) that have been renovated or built to host feathered occupants.
Birdhouse boom
The list of towns that have become known for this activity is lengthening. There are such places in just about every state. What these towns usually have in common are proximity to agricultural and forest land, and relatively low levels of industrial activity.
The first element is important because farms, plantations and jungles support the swiftlets’ diet of flying insects. The lack of factories in the vicinity matters because air pollution is anathema to the birds.
You can find many swiftlet farms in Perak (in Sitiawan, Ipoh, Teluk Intan and Taiping, for example), Pahang (Kuantan, Rompin, Pekan), Kelantan (Kota Baru, Tumpat), Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Besut) and Kedah (Sungai Petani).
Even the more developed states, such as Selangor, Johor and Penang have their share of areas that have attracted investments in swiftlet farming.
Mohammad says guidelines on acceptable practices in swiftlet farming are available
Until recently, the industry in Malaysia had maintained a low profile. The operators that were doing well were unwilling to share information and knowledge. The secrets to profitable swiftlet farming stayed within a tight circle and this was a major barrier to entry.
Still, there is no holding back the desire to make money. Despite the lack of transparency, the trickle of newcomers had eventually led to a critical mass that kicked the doors wide open some five years ago.
The key attraction here is the lure of lucrative returns from a passive investment. The idea is simple – put up a well-designed and well-equipped swiftlet farm at the right spot, and the rest will fall in place. The birds will come and soon, you can keep harvesting their nests for many years.
“It’s a gold mine,” says Mohammad Azimullah, manager of Swiftlets Venture International (SVI), a consultancy outfit.
“You put in RM500,000 and if your location is good, you can net RM1mil a year within four years. Where else in the world can you find such a business?”
Kelvin Heng of Pearlnest, which does trading and consulting work, is convinced that swiftlet farming is currently the best investment opportunity in Malaysia.
He explains: “You invest only once. You don’t have to come out with money every month to pay maintenance and workers’ salaries. If the farm is successful, you can collect thousands of ringgit every month.”
On a wing and a prayer
There are, of course, a lot of ifs and buts to deal within this fledgeling industry. A lot of people have rushed into it and many of them have crashed and burned.
Lim reckons that about 80% of the birdhouses in Malaysia are failed projects.
Mohammad of SVI has a slightly different take. He says the failure rate is 60%, but adds that of the rest, half are considered only marginally successful.
The concept of swiftlet farming is uncomplicated, but the execution is technically challenging if the farmers do not understand what makes the birds tick.
Many parameters determine the suitability of a farm’s location, and these include food availability, weather and geographical conditions, and nearby industrial activities.
The design of the birdhouse can be equally tricky. In the wild, swiftlets nest in caves. So, the idea is to simulate a cave environment, which means temperature, lighting, humidity, smell and space are often make-or-break features.
In addition, well-designed birdhouses make it easy for the swiftlets to fly in and out and to nest. They should also be built in such a way so as to protect the birds from predators and to minimise antagonising the neighbours.
The last objective is crucial because many times, the local authorities have shut down swiftlet farming operations following objections from other rate-payers.
A common problem is the noise from the birdcall recordings. Lim blames this on the farmers’ ignorance.
“If you know how to properly design and run the farms, the neighbours won’t be bothered by the sounds. You want to attract birds, not humans,” he argues.
Heng of Pearlnest agrees: “The farmers turn up the volume like it’s karaoke. You have to be considerate. And you don’t have to play the sound the whole day. There’s no point in that anyway.”
SVI’s Mohammad points out that the Veterinary Services Department and some local authorities have already come up with guidelines on acceptable practices in swiftlet farming. Therefore, the best way for swiftlet farmers to safeguard their investments is to just stick to the rules.
He says: “People should go for purpose-built birdhouses. We never recommend building birdhouses in shophouses.” He foresees that in 10 years, the practice of converting shophouses into bird farms will be outlawed.
The Star
Stories By ERROL OH
ALL businesses are built on blood, sweat and tears, at least in the figurative sense. But one industry thrives on another bodily fluid – saliva. Bird saliva, that is. And not just any bird. It has to be the swiftlet, whose nests of hardened spit have been a delicacy treasured by the Chinese for centuries.
Depending on the quality, marketplace and timing, a kilogramme of unprocessed edible bird nest can fetch a few thousand ringgit.
The processing, a tedious and labour-intensive affair, typically doubles the value of the nests. Quoting a senior Sabah government official, a news report early last month says bird nest is sold at RM4,000 to RM18,000 per kg.
The global market is said to be worth billions of ringgit. Thanks to its head start of 20 years or so in swiftlet farming on a commercial scale, Indonesia supplies 70% to 80% of the bird nests consumed worldwide, mainly in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Macau, Singapore and North America.
Heng believes swiftlet farming is a great investment opportunity
However, swiftlet farming is an increasingly visible business in Malaysia. Given the high rate of innovation and adoption here, there is a good chance of Malaysia growing its current market share of about 10%.
(Some people use the words ranching or breeding instead of farming. Actually, none is accurate because the operators merely provide a nesting environment for the birds, which come and go freely. Perhaps a more appropriate term is swiftlet hosting.)
Dr Christopher Lim, a nephrologist who has succeeded as a part-time swiftlet farmer and has authored a how-to book on the subject, says there are about 22,000 swiftlet farms (also known as swiftlet hotels, swiftlet houses or birdhouses) in Malaysia. He estimates that there are 200 new ones every month.
This explains the increasing frequency of complaints from residents and business owners about birdhouses in their neighbourhoods.
If you happen to be near swiftlet farms, it will not take you long to notice them. You will hear loud, piercing chirps filling the sky. This comes from CDs that are played to attract the birds. And if you look around, you are likely to spot windowless buildings (usually shophouses) that have been renovated or built to host feathered occupants.
Birdhouse boom
The list of towns that have become known for this activity is lengthening. There are such places in just about every state. What these towns usually have in common are proximity to agricultural and forest land, and relatively low levels of industrial activity.
The first element is important because farms, plantations and jungles support the swiftlets’ diet of flying insects. The lack of factories in the vicinity matters because air pollution is anathema to the birds.
You can find many swiftlet farms in Perak (in Sitiawan, Ipoh, Teluk Intan and Taiping, for example), Pahang (Kuantan, Rompin, Pekan), Kelantan (Kota Baru, Tumpat), Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Besut) and Kedah (Sungai Petani).
Even the more developed states, such as Selangor, Johor and Penang have their share of areas that have attracted investments in swiftlet farming.
Mohammad says guidelines on acceptable practices in swiftlet farming are available
Until recently, the industry in Malaysia had maintained a low profile. The operators that were doing well were unwilling to share information and knowledge. The secrets to profitable swiftlet farming stayed within a tight circle and this was a major barrier to entry.
Still, there is no holding back the desire to make money. Despite the lack of transparency, the trickle of newcomers had eventually led to a critical mass that kicked the doors wide open some five years ago.
The key attraction here is the lure of lucrative returns from a passive investment. The idea is simple – put up a well-designed and well-equipped swiftlet farm at the right spot, and the rest will fall in place. The birds will come and soon, you can keep harvesting their nests for many years.
“It’s a gold mine,” says Mohammad Azimullah, manager of Swiftlets Venture International (SVI), a consultancy outfit.
“You put in RM500,000 and if your location is good, you can net RM1mil a year within four years. Where else in the world can you find such a business?”
Kelvin Heng of Pearlnest, which does trading and consulting work, is convinced that swiftlet farming is currently the best investment opportunity in Malaysia.
He explains: “You invest only once. You don’t have to come out with money every month to pay maintenance and workers’ salaries. If the farm is successful, you can collect thousands of ringgit every month.”
On a wing and a prayer
There are, of course, a lot of ifs and buts to deal within this fledgeling industry. A lot of people have rushed into it and many of them have crashed and burned.
Lim reckons that about 80% of the birdhouses in Malaysia are failed projects.
Mohammad of SVI has a slightly different take. He says the failure rate is 60%, but adds that of the rest, half are considered only marginally successful.
The concept of swiftlet farming is uncomplicated, but the execution is technically challenging if the farmers do not understand what makes the birds tick.
Many parameters determine the suitability of a farm’s location, and these include food availability, weather and geographical conditions, and nearby industrial activities.
The design of the birdhouse can be equally tricky. In the wild, swiftlets nest in caves. So, the idea is to simulate a cave environment, which means temperature, lighting, humidity, smell and space are often make-or-break features.
In addition, well-designed birdhouses make it easy for the swiftlets to fly in and out and to nest. They should also be built in such a way so as to protect the birds from predators and to minimise antagonising the neighbours.
The last objective is crucial because many times, the local authorities have shut down swiftlet farming operations following objections from other rate-payers.
A common problem is the noise from the birdcall recordings. Lim blames this on the farmers’ ignorance.
“If you know how to properly design and run the farms, the neighbours won’t be bothered by the sounds. You want to attract birds, not humans,” he argues.
Heng of Pearlnest agrees: “The farmers turn up the volume like it’s karaoke. You have to be considerate. And you don’t have to play the sound the whole day. There’s no point in that anyway.”
SVI’s Mohammad points out that the Veterinary Services Department and some local authorities have already come up with guidelines on acceptable practices in swiftlet farming. Therefore, the best way for swiftlet farmers to safeguard their investments is to just stick to the rules.
He says: “People should go for purpose-built birdhouses. We never recommend building birdhouses in shophouses.” He foresees that in 10 years, the practice of converting shophouses into bird farms will be outlawed.
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