Fine tuning the national guidelines

Good to know that Sarawak is taking the lead to formulate a new set of guidelines instead of blindly following the national guidelines. Hopefully this will help fine tune the national guideline into one that will really help to preserve as well as develop the swiftlet industry in Malaysia.
Jackie

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Saturday October 16, 2010
Swiftlet industry players in Sarawak want their own set of rules
By PHILIP HII
philiphii@thestar.com.my

SWIFTLET industry players in Sarawak are planing to formulate a separate set of guidelines for the state instead of following the national guidelines.

Sarawak Bird Nest Suppliers Association deputy president Jesse Tang said yesterday the decision to have a separate set of guidelines was reached after a two-day emergency meeting attended by representatives from seven bird’s nests merchants and bird’s nests suppliers associations in Sarawak.

Tang said his association would prepare the new guidelines which would be more suitable for the development of the swiftlet industry in Sarawak and present them to the Chief Minister’s Department and Sarawak Forestry Department soon.

The meeting also resolved to urge the authorities to allow swiftlet farmers to maintain the existing bird houses which were built in urban centres.

Tang, however, advised the farmers to maintain the original outlook of the buildings (normally shophouses) which they had converted into bird houses and also to ensure the noise level of the bird calls was within the government approved level at 40 decibel (dB).

He advised swiftlet farmers not to build water ponds inside the bird houses which could be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Tang said his association was willing to assist anyone interested in swiftlet farming.

“We would like to share and impart the knowledge, wealth and benefits derived from swiftlet farming to anyone interested, regardless of race,” he said.

He estimated that there were now 5,000 bird houses in the state and they produced at least 2,500kg of raw bird’s nests valued at about RM8.8mil a month.

‘Give us alternative site’

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

Jackie

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Wednesday September 15, 2010
The Star


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Move ruffles feathers

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

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

Jackie

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

end game for swiftlet farmers in Georgetown

This is going to be tough. All eyes will be on this one. A potentially explosive situation that needs cool heads.



the swiftlets birdhouse were already there before Penang was awarded its World Heritage status. It is suppose to benefit the people there but in this case would it become a curse for the birdhouse farmers? Is UNESCO asking for the birdhouse to be removed for George Town to retain its heritage status?



The birdhouse owners feels that they have helped maintain the old vacant and idled buildings and stopped them from falling apart by putting the money in to renovate them into birdhouse. Now they are told that they are a nuisance by the councils.

If they are asked to move out then the repercussion would be that other councils around the country would use that as a precedent and ask the birdhouse owners in their area to move out of town. It will affect some 100,000 birdhouse owners and their families. This is going to be a real political mine field.



Jackie Chow


Saturday September 4, 2010
Swiftlet farms to shift out of city

GEORGE TOWN: The state government will hold a meeting after Hari Raya to work out a mechanism to implement the three-year grace period for swiftlet farms to move out of the heritage enclave here.

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said that the meeting would involve the Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI), Penang Heritage Trust and related organisations.

“We will work out a mechanism to implement the decision by the council. It is also up to us to decide when to begin the grace period,” he said.

It was reported yesterday that the National Council for Local Government came up with the grace period after it decided to prohibit swiftlet farming in Penang and Malacca heritage enclaves.

Asked about possible legal action by ASNI against the state for enforcing the eviction, he said it could take whatever action it wanted.

“The farms will be moved to agricultural areas but we will discuss this first at the meeting,” 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.

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.

Swiftlet birdhouse owners willing to work with state govt

Saturday August 21, 2010
The Star


SWIFTLET birdhouse owners in Penang are willing to co-operate with the state government to achieve a win-win situation regarding birdhouses in George Town.

Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry Penang president Carole Loh said that swiftlet farming was a legitimate business and most owners had adhered to guidelines.

“We have adhered to the 2005 guidelines that encourage swiftlet farming in commercial areas with buildings not higher than five storeys.

“We are only making a living and we are willing to discuss and cooperate on any issue,” she said.

“However, it is impossible to ask us to move existing birdhouses in George Town,” Loh told a press conference yesterday.

She said the owners were only out to make a living and closing their business would affect their livelihood.

“Most owners have to wait three to five years in order to make any returns and the success rate is only about 30%,” she added.

Loh said swiftlets were also a living he-ritage of Penang and moving the birdhou-ses would affect them too.

“Removing these nests would kill countless swiftlets as they could not build nests in other areas,” she claimed.

Small Medium Industries Association of Penang secretary- general Dr Kenneth Khoo, who was also present, said the Penang Government needed to be clear with any new guidelines.

“If the state decides not to allow new birdhouses to be set up, then there needs to be a clear cut off date as the law cannot be retrospective,” he said.

He added that the state government cannot punish cur- rent birdhouse owners as most of them were in the industry after the encouragement from the then state government in 2005.

Flap over swiftlet farms

Tuesday August 10, 2010
The Star
By MANJIT KAUR
manjit@thestar.com.my


DESPITE the moratorium on swiftlet farming, birdhouses are still being erected on the island, said Penang Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

He said that prior to 2008, only 20-over licences were issued for the industry but there were now about 200 swiftlet farms.

Chow said the Pakatan Rakyat administration never issued any licences but he was aware of new birdhouses being erected illegally during this period.

“Action can be taken against them,” he told reporters after chairing the Penang Local Government Consultative Forum at the Caring Society Complex yesterday.

Chow said they continued to have meetings on the issue at state level and with the local councils, department heads and non-governmental organisations.

“We will hold another meeting with the National Heritage Department next week on the Integrated Swiftlets Industry Development Guidelines.

“We can consider various views but all the feedback on the guidelines will be raised at the Local Government National Council Meeting,” he added.

Earlier, a discussion involving the Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry president Carole Loh, the state Veterinary Department and several other NGOs was held.

Loh said many people had the wrong perception about the industry, saying the association was willing to compromise with the authorities but a win-win solution was needed.

“We have invested so much money into the business after being asked by the previous administration to set up the farms and now the government want us to just move out,” she said.

“There are claims the industry will be a threat to the Unesco listing but I am sure when the status was given, the relevant authorities knew about the industry in George Town.

“The swiftlets are a living heritage and were around even before the Unesco status was accorded,” she added.

Loh asked where the hundreds of swiftlets would go if their natural habitat was to be destroyed.

“Moving out of George Town is not negotiable. In theory, everything can be done but in practice the situation is different,” she added.

Penang municipal councillor Lim Kah Cheng said it was not possible to farm in urban areas, especially in George Town.

“If swiftlets are allowed, then how are we going to stop others from having chicken farms?” she asked.

“The new government will not follow what has been enforced by the previous administration,” she said, adding that there were laws and regulations to be followed.

Malaysian Nature Society branch chairman D. Kanda Kumar said it was up to the state to adopt the guidelines.

“We are not against swiftlet farming but I think the farms should be located in suitable areas,” he added.

National guidelines not swift in coming

Tuesday July 27, 2010
The Star


PENANG will seek the input from stakeholders once it gets hold of the National Guidelines For Swiftlet Breeding which was passed in Cabinet about two weeks ago.

State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state was given a briefing by National Veterinary Department representatives prior to the passing of the new guidelines but “without much details”.

“Our officer have been requesting for the new guidelines these past two weeks but to date, we have yet to receive a copy.

“During the briefing, we also expressed our dismay that the consultation for the guidelines did not involve any heritage NGOs or World Heritage Office representatives.

“Those consulted were mainly swiftlets’ industry players,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Chow added that the industry players’ main focus is on the monetary side even though they claimed that by turning old houses into a bird house, they are doing heritage protection a service.

“But the bird houses make it a challenge for people to live, at times forcing the neighbours to move, and thus affect the living heritage aspect,” he said.

It was reported that at least 8% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings in inner George Town have been restored and rehabilitated by bird nest breeders.

Penang Heritage Trust council member Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson said the health and safety issues are among the main concerns.

“Imagine the pollution from noise and bird droppings. It is in the state’s hands to make a policy and set a guideline on swiftlet houses.”

Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry president Carole Loh had said that the droppings outside belonged to pigeons, adding that swiftlets are very particular and only release their droppings in the house.

She had also suggested that the state Health Department issue breeders with a health certificate which can be revoked if the cleanliness is not maintained.

Swiftlet breeders given ultimatum

Friday July 16, 2010

BY ALLISON LAI
malacca@thestar.com..my


MALACCA: Some 300 swiftlet breeders here were given a three month notice to register with the Veterinary Services Department and apply for licenses or face severe action from the local council.

The warning was issued by State Rural Development and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Hidhir Abu Hasan after the state adopted the new swiftlet industry guideline (1GP) which was approved by the Cabinet on Monday.

Besides implementing the new guidelines, he said the state had also included additional rules to regulate the industry here.

“The breeders will have to register with the states Veterinary Services Department irrespective if they have already received approval from the local council or registered with the Malacca Birds Nest Merchants Association.


Strict ruling: Birdhouse operators located within the historic city’s Unesco World Heritage Site heritage zones must apply for a permit from the Heritage Department.

“Failing which, action will be taken against them to shutdown their business,” he told reporters here after a dialogue with swiftlet breeders here on Tuesday.

He said swiftlet breeders must apply for operating permits from the respective authorities depending on the location of the birdhouses.

“The state has adopted the 1GP guidelines but had to amend and make additions to it owing to Malaccas size and the citys status as a World Heritage Heritage site,” he added.

Swiftlet breeders operating within Malacca’s heritage zones must submit the necessary building plans for their operations when applying for a permit from the Heritage Department.

Mohd Hidhir said the local council authorities would only issue operating licenses to registered and approved operators.

There are some 100 swiftlet breeders in Malacca registered with the association with some 200 others operating as non-registered members.

The state had issued 60 temporary license to operators of which 22 are located within heritage zones.

In relation to the matter, Malacca Birds Nest Merchants Association president John Chen Joon Onn had voiced concerned over the implementation of the 1GP guidelines and additional regulations imposed by the state.

“We will hold a meeting with our members and issue a statement on the matter later,” he said when contacted.

Locally harvested birds nests can fetch between RM1,500 and RM5,000 per kg depending on quality.

Birds nest harvesting has spawned a thriving multi-million ringgit industry here, including manufacturing of canned drinks for the local and export markets.

State monitors swiftlet breeding premises

Wednesday July 7, 2010
The Star


THE state government, which has not issued any licences for swiftlet breeding, is monitoring premises registered under the Swiftlet Breeding Association, said acting Agriculture Committee chairman Md Jais Sarday.

He said the Veterinary Services Department conducted seminars on the proper way to keep swiftlets to ensure breeders conformed to regulations and maintained cleanliness, besides keeping sound pollution to a minimum.

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.

Ban on swiftlet farming in town areas too premature

Monday April 26, 2010
The Star
RUBEN SARIO
sario@thestar.com.my



FOR years, a group of entrepreneurs in Sabah have been raking in the “big bucks” by harvesting swiftlet nests from all sorts of buildings, some purposely built while others using abandoned or disused structures such as shophouses.

Among those who jumped on the swiftlet farming bandwagon was former state assistant minister Datuk Karim Bujang, who built a concrete structure in his native Kampung Gadong in Papar district, some 29km from the city.

Asked whether swiftlet farming could be equated with swift cash, the Bongawan assemblyman answered without hesitation: “Yes.”

The numbers in the minds of many Sabah swiftlet farmers remember is this; the start-up cost for the business is in the region of RM200,000.

Once they are able to attract the swiftlets to nest in their structures, 150 pairs of birds can produce up to 1kg of nests.

And it is possible for farmers to harvest up to 10kg of nests every three months, earning them about RM50,000.

But some swiftlet farmers here suddenly found their wings clipped early this month when state Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai announced the state Cabinet’s decision to ban swiftlet farming in all town areas.

Dr Yee said the ban came in the wake of concerns about the potential health and environmental problems caused by bird’s nest farming, apart from being a public nuisance.

He said the Sabah Government was encouraging bird’s nest farming but this should be done in areas with low population density.

That announcement caught swiftlet farmers offguard and a grouping representing them questioned the need as cities such as a Johor Baru and Ipoh had no such ban.

Sabah Swiftlet House and Bird’s Nest Industry president George Ng also 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 ban has also caused confusion for some as the state’s announcement is not clear on whether the move covered just the populated areas or entire rating areas of a city or municipality. Worries about the impact of the swiftlet farming ban spilled over at the just-concluded sitting of the Sabah state assembly.

Among those who spoke up about the issue was Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Louis Rampas who said the ban could dampen entrepreneurial spirit among the people.

He said the government should not impose severe restrictions on the industry in the absence of any guidelines for it as yet.

Dr Yee and some of his state Cabinet colleagues then tried to assuage the concerns and criticisms raised following the announcement of the ban.

“We are encouraging swiftlet farming but it should be conducted in a proper manner, and this means no such activities in the city or town area.

“Swiftlet farming must be done in an area where it does not affect many people. Bear in mind this sort of activity is noisy and birds are known vectors of diseases,” he said.

Dr Yee’s Local Government and Housing counterpart Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor said that the guidelines would be drawn up with the Sabah Wildlife Department to put in place a systematic development of the lucrative bird’s nest industry.

Back at the Sabah state assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said swiftleft farming was a way for the poor to escape the poverty trap and that was why the government was encouraging the development of the industry.

Despite these assurances, some Sabahans cannot help but wonder whether the state is too premature in announcing the ban when the national policy on swiftlet farming has yet to be finalised. And they can’t help shake off the feeling that the state is putting the proverbial cart before the horse.

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.

Money on wings

Borneo Post
by Wilson Luke
February 28, 2010, Sunday


On average, unprocessed bird’s nests can fetch RM4,000 per kg, meaning the industry can generate RM48 million a month.


A lucrative business to venture into at the moment maybe just flying around the corner.

Trading in bird’s nests has found a niche in the market after it began more than a century ago with the first recorded harvesting being carried out at the Niah Caves in 1878.

Indonesia was the first nation to commercialise the commodity due to its high value globally.

However, in the late 1990s when the haze blanketted the Southeast Asian region, most of the birds from Indonesia migrated across the border to Sarawak and the peninsula.

That was when Loh Siaw Kuei, a third generation supplier of local bird’s nests, started to take interest in swiflets ranching.

He recalled previously, they had to rely on suppliers from Niah in Miri before they could process and export the commodity mainly to China.

According to him, the old processing method left behind a lot of impurities, and supplies from the harvesters were also inconsistent.

In 2000, he decided to venture into swiftlets ranching and he put up a building just outside the city for the purpose.

“I started with an investment of RM30,000,” said Loh, arguably a local pioneer in modern swiftlets ranching.

He forked out another RM10,000 to buy the equipment needed to attract the swiftlets.

Being new to the venture, he sought help from friends and business partners in the peninsula who had started much earlier.

“It was truly by trial and error,” Loh said, adding that he started almost from scratch and persevered for more than five years before seeing the fruit of his labour.

Now, Loh has five ‘bird houses’ in Kuching and Samarahan.

“If the bird house turns out to be good, you can expect about 100 to 300 nests in the first year,” he said.

According to him, to be a successful swiftlets farmer, the three most important criteria are (1) getting started; (2) waiting (patiently) for the swiftlets to build their nests and (3) be innovative and constantly upgrading the farm with knowledge and technology.

It is estimated there are 1,000 bird houses in Sarawak and presently, about 10,000 buildings are used as swiftlet ranches nationwide, producing roughly 12 tonnes of bird’s nests monthly to which Sarawak contributes some five tones.

Presently, Loh obtains a lot of supplies from the Sarawak Bird’s Nests Merchant Association (SBNMA) of which he is president.

On average, unprocessed bird’s nests can fetch RM4,000 per kg, depending on the graded quality. This means the industry is capable of generating RM48 million a month.

Although Mukah is the main centre for swiftlets ranching, other areas with their own potential are Kuching, Bintulu, Sarikei and Sibu.

Basically, there are two types of products — cave bird’s nests and house bird’s nests.

According to Loh, not many bird’s nests are obtained from caves after the introduction of bird houses.

“The nests from bird houses are much cleaner and more hygienic compared to those produced in caves.”

The two swiflets species producing the edible bird’s nests are collocolia fuciphaga/aerodramus fuciphagus (AF) and collocolia maxima/aerodramus maximus (AM) found mostly in Malaysia at present.

The bird house has to be insulated and properly ventilated with the temperature kept below 30 degrees Celcius for the swiftlets to stay and breed.

Under normal circumstances, a pair produces two eggs per season — and three times in a year. If the bird house is conducive, by the 10th year, the total number of swiftlets could exceed 700,000 pairs with an estimated population of 1.5 million.

Although on paper, this may look impressive but in reality, it might not be accurate. However, even achieving only half the population figure would be regarded as a success.

A female swiftlet remains productive for 10 to 15 years and can live up to 25 years.

Bird’s nests are used in medicine, cosmetics and the food-based industry, worth RM1.5 billion annually in Malaysia through the export of raw bird’s nests, especially to China.

Recently, there was proposal to launch a multi-million ringgit swiftlets eco park in Sarawak to accommodate the thriving local bird’s nests industry.

So far, seven sites have been identified around Kuching, Sarikei, Bintulu and Mukah.

The project involves the construction of terrace houses or shoplots for swiftlets farming and processing in a systematic and ecologically friendly manner.

For those interested in swiftlets ranching, the bird’s nests industry is under the purview of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, Wildlife Protection (Edible Bird Nests) Rule 1998 and Wildlife Protection Rules 1998.

What this means is that the birds may live and be harvested with licence in their natural habitat such as cave dwellings but prohibited in urban or residential areas.

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

Lucrative but risky business

Wednesday January 13, 2010
The Star
By ANN TAN


THE bird nest industry may be booming within the George Town heritage enclave but it is still a trade secret among breeders.

Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) president Carole Loh said there was no right formula in attracting the swiftlets and those who had found the technique would usually not teach others.


Loh looking up at the birds nests in one of the swiftlet houses in George Town.

“The business may look good on paper. It may bring high returns but it is a risky investment as the success rate is only 20% to 30%.

“To invest and buy a bird house, one has to obtain a bank loan as it involves a huge investment. Then, one may have to wait for up to three years before one can get some returns. So within this period, there is no income,” she said.

Loh said there were many cases where swiftlets had failed “set up shop” and the investors were forced to shut down because they were unable to service their bank loans.

“Swiftlets lay eggs three times a year and two eggs at a time. It takes between 30 and 45 days for them to build the nest and another 45 days for the chicks to mature,” she said.


A baby swiftlet in its nest.

“Prior to harvesting, the breeders must ensure that there are no eggs or chicks in it for them to have a chance to grow.

“The harvested bird nests are then soaked in water for it to expand so that the feathers and dirt could be separated. This is usually done by a middle man who would then sell the nutritious product to others.”

Eating the swiftlet’s nest is believed to help maintain skin tone, balance qi (life energy) and reinforce the immune system.

It is also believed to strengthen the lungs and prevent coughs, improve the constitution and prolong life.

Commenting on claims that the industry is health hazard and a threat to heritage, Loh said it was not justified to focus on a few errant swiftlet breeders.

“It has been estimated that at least 8.3% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings have been re-stored and rehabilitated by bird nest breeders.


Swiftlets flying to their nests on the ceiling beams.

“There are many swiftlet houses in pre-war buildings which have been beautifully restored in keeping with its heritage features,” she said.

A recent visit by The Star to the swiftlets’ breeding ground saw the houses well renovated and maintained. There was also no stagnant water in the premises as breeders used humidifier machines to control the humidity.

“Heritage has to be sustainable. It is not enough to have a heritage status if there are no businesses that will bring the right level of income to support and sustain heritage development,” she said.

On the matter of breeders using tweeters to attract the birds to the houses, Loh said the state government could come out with a directive to limit the decibel so that it would not disturb the neighbours.

“And the droppings that we see outside are actually that of the pigeons’ as swiftlets are very parti-cular and they only release their droppings in the house.

“The breeders clean the bird houses weekly as the swiftlets like a clean premises. The Health Department could issue breeders with a health certificate which can be revoked if the cleanliness is not maintained,” she said.

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.