Sabah Guidelines on swiftlet farming being drawn

Jan 25, 2011

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No guidelines yet: Swiftlet farming activities at a building in the urban areas of Sandakan.

SANDAKAN: Sabah is preparing policy guidelines for swiftlet farming in the state following a decision last April to ban the activity in major urban centres. State Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai said the guidelines were being drawn up. He said this during a Chinese New Year walkabout at Bandar Ramai Ramai by Parti Bersatu Sabah leaders recently.

The minister was replying to a question from New Sabah Times on the existence of swiftlet farming activities in urban areas despite the ban. To another question whether the ban was in force, Yee said he was not aware of it as the guidelines for bird’s nest farming in the state was being drawn.

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

wildsingapore news: Malaysia leads way in environmental study of deforestation

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1GP: Regulations for the swiftlet industry

THE Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry has come up with the National Swiftlet Industry guidelines to standardise the regulations in the industry, Its minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the guidelines approved by the Cabinet last week would be sold for RM15 a copy.

He said present and future swiftlet operators would have to follow the guidelines to get a licence to breed the birds.  Noh said a prospective swiftlet operator would be screened and approved by the Veterinary Service Department, which is responsible for registration for swiftlet premises.

"Among the target areas of the department are farming, processing, import and export, besides providing environment-friendly premises," said Noh.

"The steps taken by the department is meant to ensure high quality bird's nest production which fulfills the global standard requirements," he said after launching the Taman Industri Burung Walit Payamas key presentation ceremony in Tangkak.

Present were State Agriculture and Development committee chairman Datuk Aziz Karpawi, Veterinary Service Department deputy director (2) Datuk Dr Ismail Che Embong, State Veterinary Service Department director Datin Paduka Dr Fauziah Embong and Taman Burung Walit Payamas project chairman Datuk Saipol Bahari Suib.

The Taman Burung Walit Payamas project operated by Sialin Holding Sdn Bhd would be selling 42 farming units, priced between RM400, 000 and RM750, 000 per unit to prospective operators.

Noh said premises built in a district or municipality requires other conditions, such as approval from the local council.

Read more: Regulations for the swiftlet industry http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/19jbswif/Article/#ixzz1CBbJJwho

Sarawakians going into swiftlet farming in a big way

By JACK WONG
jackwong@thestar.com.my

KUCHING: Sarawakians are flocking to the lucrative swiftlet farming business as more and more bird houses are being set up in the state.

Sarawak Bird's Nest Suppliers Association secretary Colin Wong Chung Onn said there was an estimated 5,000 swiftlet houses statewide with many more under construction.

“The number of swiftlet houses has more than doubled compared with a year ago,” he told StarBiz.

About 60% of these houses are found in the Mukah and Sarikei divisions in central Sarawak mostly along the coastal areas.

Unprocessed swiftlet nests have a market price of between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per kg compared with at least RM7,000 per kg for processed nests. 
 

Unlike Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak is a late starter in commercial swiftlet farming. It is learnt that the state authorities, in consultation with the industry players, are drafting comprehensive guidelines to regulate the development of the industry.

Acting on environmental and health concerns, the state authorities had investigated more than 400 illegal farms last year, said Sarawak Assistant Minister for Planning and Resource Management Naroden Majais.He said the construction of swiftlet farms was being closely monitored to prevent illegal operations. Naroden said two licences were needed for commercial swiftlet farming - one to construct the building for the swiftlets to nest and the second for the rearing of the birds.

Some 250 licences to construct buildings and a handful to rear the birds have been approved.Wong said big-time investors were constructing double or three-storey concrete shophouses to rear the swiftlets while the smaller ones, like farmers and fishermen, were building wooden houses.Unoccupied or under-utilised shophouses and residential houses have been converted into swiftlet farms. 

He said it would cost about RM400,000 (excluding land), to build a three-storey shophouse (36ft x 76ft) for swiftlet farming.Sarawak's first swiftlet eco-park, a RM40mil joint-venture between state Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Borneo Resources Synergy Sdn Bhd is expected to be ready in Balingian, Mukah division within the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy by next year.,The park will have 40 three-storey units and 15 three-storey bungalow units. The SEDC has been tasked by the Sarawak government to spearhead the development of swiftlet farming on a well-planned, sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Similar eco-parks have been planned for other parts of the state.

Wong said some pioneer swiftlet houses in Paloh, Mukah division could each produce up to 3kg of swiftlet nests a month. “Unprocessed swiftlet nests fetch a market price of between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per kg compared with at least RM7,000 per kg for the processed nests.”

Some of the raw nests are being sold by middlemen to Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong. He said based on a conservative estimate of the 5,000 bird houses producing an average 0.5kg of nests a month, this would mean a yearly production of 3,000kg. At an average market price of RM3,500 per kg, it would generate RM10.5mil per annum for the Sarawak economy.

Sarawak's production of swiftlet nests, Naroden said was 2,854kg last year, up from 2,095kg in 2008. For the first 10 months of last year, 1,757kg valued at RM7mil were produced.

Naroden said China was the biggest market for edible swiftlet nests, followed by Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia.

Wong said the production of swiftlet nests from caves, like Niah Cave in Miri, had been on the decline over the years because of over-harvesting.

Although swiftlet farming is potentially lucrative, he said there were investors who had not been successful in their ventures due to several factors. “Choosing the right location to site the swiftlet houses is vital, otherwise it will take a longer time to attract the birds. “Other important factors are the design and conditions, like temperature and humidity, of the houses,” he added.

According to an investor, the returns from successful swiftlet farming was comparatively higher than most businesses.

He said a two-storey swiftlet house (20ft x 60ft which costs between RM250,000 and RM300,000 to build) could produce between 36kg and 48kg of nests a year (worth between RM144,000 and RM192,000 based on RM4,000 per kg) from the fourth year of operation.

“Once in operation,it will take at least 18 months for the first collection of the nests. Production will gradually increase with more swiftlets nesting,” he added.

For the most successful operator, it would take about five years to fully recover the costs to build the swiftlet houses and related facilities, adding that from then on, the profits would be high.

‘No swiftlet farming in residential areas’

by Jane Moh. Posted on January 12, 2011, Wednesday

SIBU: Swiftlet farming in residential areas is prohibited, and those involved are advised to cease the operation or face stern action.

SERIOUS ISSUE: (From left) Ngieng, Tiong, Hii and Kiong King at a dialogue session.

Sibu Municipal Council deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng gave the warning when speaking at a dialogue session with Sarawak Bird’s Nest Supply and Merchants Association (SBNSMA). “In area under the jurisdiction of Sibu Municipal Council, swiftlet farming in residential areas is strictly prohibited,” he reiterated. The council, he said, would take immediate action, including compounding the offender, should a complaint is received.

Ngieng acknowledged the economic viability of swiftlet farming, but said the public should not be victimised, such as having to face pollution, including that of noise. He called on the association members to give their fullest cooperation to the council in the interest of the public. Also present at the dialogue session were council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, secretary Hii Chang Kee and chairman of SBNSMA Tiong Kiong King.

Special parks to house swiftlets

2011/01/09
By Shanti Gunaratnam

                                        THE lucrative bird's nest business has through the years come under fire from people who claim it is a health hazard and a threat to heritage.Over the last few years, getting swiftlets to roost in converted shophouses has become big business as entrepreneurs cash in on the strong demand for bird's nests, mainly from Taiwan, China and Hong Kong.

The nests, made from the saliva of Aerodamus fuciphagus, are said to be excellent for the complexion and in promoting respiratory and gastric health.

The swiftlets use their spit to string together small gauze-like nests which are the main ingredient of bird's nest soup, a Chinese delicacy. The "bird houses" started flourishing in the 1990s. There are now an estimated 50,000 such "swiftlet hotels" in the country.

Now, there are plans to build swiftlet ranches which promise a more organised and structured method of producing the delicacy.

In the ranches, said to be the first of its kind in the world, "housing units" of detached, semi-detached and terrace types permit edible bird's nests to be cultivated in an organised manner, with the ranches also serving as an eco-tourism centre.

Fourteen swiftlet ranches have been planned throughout the country. Sites have been identified in Perak, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu and Johor.

"We are looking to be the second largest producer of edible bird's nests in the world," said Swiftlet Eco Park Berhad chief operating officer C.H. Tan.

Swiftlet Eco Park is part of a holding company that is involved in the planning, development, construction and marketing of custom-made and licensed swiftlet farms.

According to the group's website, its first project in Manjung, Perak, was developed in collaboration with the Perak State Development Corporation. The group is developing 14 similar projects all over Malaysia and aims to complete 25 projects with 1,000 licensed buildings over the next three years at a gross development value of RM500 million.

Malaysia is, at present, the second largest producer of bird's nests in the world after Indonesia. Indonesia produces 78 per cent of the world's bird's nests with Malaysia trailing far behind with only 10 per cent, while Thailand produces the rest. Some 375 tonnes of raw unprocessed bird's nests were produced last year.

The development of the parks is aimed at assisting the government in addressing the current problem of illegal and disorganised bird's nest cultivation in Malaysia.

"While the industry is growing in a big way, there has also been negative perception from both the public and authorities in recent years, no thanks to errant bird house owners."

Many swiftlet house owners had been taken to task for playing loud chirping sounds round the clock to lure the swiftlets into the bird houses which were converted from old houses, commercial shop offices, or abandoned buildings without approval from the authorities.

There have also been complaints of foul-smelling swiftlet droppings which could be a health hazard. Other problems include swiftlet houses operating in crowded urban areas.

Also other matters of concern are H5N1 bird flu, bird mites fever and unattended electrical equipment and appliances in swiftlet houses which might pose a fire hazard and the fact that many of the bird houses are illegal, thus depriving the state government of income.

"We intend to be a huge player in the bird's nest industry and are looking at producing up to 25 per cent of the world's demand.  "The whole industry is worth RM15 billion and we want a big chunk of that to flow back into the country," Tan said.

The company hopes to produce about 240kg per bird house which will bring them an income of RM300 million annually.  Initially, 50 per cent of Swiftlet Eco Park's bird's nests will be sold locally, to cater for domestic demand.

"Malaysians, for decades, have known the benefits of consuming bird's nests. "The Chinese have included bird's nests in their diet for centuries while India, a new market along with the Middle East, is catching up in a big way along with other countries."

The company is also considering venturing into eco-tourism which include swiftlet watching, house visits, feeding swiftlet chicks, learning more about swiftlet habitat, and it has earmarked the Setiu ranch in Terengganu for this purpose.

"People have always been fascinated with bird's nests and where they come from. "Since we construct and custom-make swiftlet farms, we are in a position to show them how they are produced.

"Bird's nests are fetching very good prices now with the raw unprocessed ones costing between RM4,500 to RM5,500 per kg, while processed ones are sold between RM11,000 to RM19,000 per kg."

Read more: Special parks to house swiftlets http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/09swiftlet-2/Article/#ixzz1AgICub3

Shoplots converted into Swiftlet Park in Penang

No new permits for swiftlet breeding in Kajang

By OH ING YEEN

ingyeen@thestar.com.my

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

Councillor S.T. Chandramohan added that no action would be taken against existing swiftlet breeders.“However, under the council’s Street, Drainage and Building Act, breeding of animals is not allowed in commercial and residential areas.

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

Pendaftaran Premis Walit

Muat turun pendaftaran premis walit dari lawan web Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar Malaysia di :
http://www.dvs.gov.my/web/guest/sarang_burung_walit

Pendaftaran ini adalah penting untuk tracebility dan merupakan salah satu syarat penting untuk mendapat permit export dari Jabatan.

PHT: Reveal identity of Swiftlet farm owners

PHT: Reveal identity of farm owners

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) has called on the state government to make public the identity of all swiftlet farm operators in George Town. Its president Khoo Salma Nasution said PHT wanted all registered and unregistered operators, including the 78 registered swiftlet farm operators located within the heritage zone, to be made known.

“We’ve received complaints from people who live next door to swiftlet farms but they are unsure if such operations are legal,” she said. She also urged the state government to publish its plan on granting a three-year grace period for the relocation of swiftlet farms from the city’s heritage zone. “The plan has to be realistic. If not, it will cause distress to the birds,” she added.

Swiftlet farms ordered to move out of heritage site

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has ordered unregistered swiftlet farms within the George Town Unesco Heritage site to move out by Saturday or face action. State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the operators would be fined if they refused to have the birds’ nests removed from the farms.

“If we allow this, more farms may be set up and we will be having heritage buildings that are empty inside except for birds and their nests,” he said here yesterday. Chow said the state believed there were around 32 new or unregistered swiftlet farms within the core zone. “We will issue compounds of RM250 against the new and unregistered farms from Jan 1 if they refuse to move out. “We will also take them to court,” he said.

He added that the move was in accordance with the new swiftlets farming guidelines approved by the National Council for Local Go­­vernment which was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.

“The council also decided that swiftlet farming activities are not allowed within Unesco Heritage sites in Malacca and George Town,” he said. To date, Chow said there were 129 registered swiftlet farm operators on the island with 78 located within the heritage zone.