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

Swiftlet industry players urged to follow guideline

July 13, 2010, Tuesday

KUALA LUMPUR: Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar has urged swiftlet industry players to follow the guideline approved by the Cabinet. He said approval of the swiftlet industry guideline (1GP) means that 50,000 swiftlet premises will have to be registered with the Veterinary Services Department (JPV).

The National Council On Local Government meeting on Friday was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The first of its kind in the world, the swiftlet industry guideline will also be implemented in Sabah and Sarawak.

Noh said it is aimed at addressing issues like smell, noise and diseases while developing the RM1 billion industry in a holistic manner. “Swiftlet industry players must ready to register with JPV. I can understand if they feel uneasy about the guideline as they have been doing the business for decades.

“Under the guideline, they are certain things that they can’t do. We are giving ample notice as we don’t want to burden the people,” Noh added. Swiftlet industry players can register swiftlet premises via the website http://www.burungwalit.com.my  which can be accessed starting yesterday. — Bernama

Swiftlet issue to Cabinet Soon

thestar.com.my

This is one of the latest model of Swiftlet House contructed at Agriculture land, in Mukah, Sarawak. If proven successful, your investment cost would be greatly reduce.

SITIAWAN: Guidelines to regulate the country’s swiftlet farming industry will soon be tabled for approval at Cabinet. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said that the Swiftlet Industry Guidelines would cover all aspects of the sector, from licensing to exporting. Kong, who is also Lumut MP, said that the guidelines would also cover downstream industries, re­stric­­­tions against swiftlet farming in heritage buildings, hygiene and its impact on the public.

“We are finalising the details and they will be tabled soon,” Kong told reporters after handing out aid to his constituents here yesterday. He said that the guidelines would be drawn up jointly by his ministry and the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and Natural Resources and Environment ministries, with input from both the Health and Information, Communi­cation and Culture ministries.

Kong also said that all state authorities had been given the regulations to control local swiftlet farming while the guidelines were being drawn up.“The local authorities have been given instructions on issuing licences to ‘swiftlet hotel’ operators. “We have also given clear directives on how operators can install speakers to attract the birds and the volume of the sound permitted,” he said. Kong added that operators should comply with the regulations.

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