June 20, 2009
Summer visitor making a swift exit

You know summer has arrived when you see swifts speeding through the air, screaming their heads off and swooping into crevices in buildings.

But fewer and fewer of us are enjoying this spectacle as the RSPB has discovered that the swift is in serious trouble.

Swift numbers have declined by 47% in the last ten years. And for the first time, the summer migrant has been added to the amber list meaning it is of serious conservation concern. (See note 1).

A major cause of this decline is believed to be the loss of nest sites through building improvement or demolition. They nest almost exclusively on buildings, so they really need our help.

The RSPB is launching a nationwide search to identify where swifts are still seen and could be nesting.

Swifts pair for life and return to the same nest site each spring. Their nests are located high up in the roof spaces under the eaves of old buildings in particular, and renovation, repair or demolition work is leaving many of them homeless.

The wildlife charity is appealing to us all to look out for low-level screaming groups of swifts, a good sign they are breeding nearby, or where we have seen swifts nesting – perhaps entering a roof or hole in the building. They would like any sightings reported to them via a form on their website (www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts). The best time to look is around dusk on a warm, still evening.

Once the charity has discovered more about where swifts are found it will focus its conservation efforts in areas where they are commonly seen and work with the building industry to help birds in buildings.

The RSPB is also suggesting a number of simple measures that could help the fast dwindling swift population.

1. It is crucial to leave any existing nest sites undisturbed where possible. Swifts will use the same nest sites again and again.

2. If you do need to carry out repair work on your roof or faschias and soffits for example, make new nest access holes to match the old ones at exactly the same spot.

3. If you are building a new house, you could create some internal nest spaces at the design stage.

4. If you are unable to do any of these, the other alternative is to fit a custom-made swift box.

Sarah Niemann, RSPB Species Recovery Officer says: “Sharing your house with swifts is a great privilege. They are not obtrusive at all, in fact they make perfect, quiet neighbours. They build their nests right next to the entrance hole so they don’t get into your roof space and they cause no damage.

“The fact they are declining so rapidly is of huge concern to the RSPB, which is why we’re asking people to help us find out where they are so we can focus our efforts in the right place.

“If you see or hear swifts screaming at rooftop level or slipping into holes please tell us!”

Swifts are dark brown but often look black against the sky. Their wings are long and narrow and their tail slightly forked, but not as much as a swallow’s. They have a piercing, screaming call and nest in colonies which makes it appear even louder.

Swifts spend their life almost entirely on the wing and even feed, sleep and mate in flight. They feed exclusively on insects and only come to land when nesting.

They hunt for insects over a wide area and range of habitats from meadows, open water and over woods to the skies above towns and cities. An abundant supply of insects is critical for their survival. Parent swifts collect lots of insects to take back to their chicks – up to 1,000 at once which make a big bulge in their throat. When they have chicks to feed, swifts can gather as many as 100,000 insects a day.

Sarawak's Bird Nest Industry Still In Dilemma

May 22, 2009 20:10 PM

Sarawak's Bird Nest Industry Still In Dilemma

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Probably not many are aware that Malaysia's bird nest industry has grown to RM1 billion per annum in its value following the large scale migration of the edible nest swiftlet from Indonesia about 10 years ago.

The figure is expected to increase due to the steady demand from China where the bird nest soup is a popular delicacy especially among the well heeled segment of the society.

Malaysia is the world's third biggest producer of bird's nest after Indonesia and Thailand with an average of 12 tonnes of nests produced monthly.

The nests made by the edible-nest swiftlet (aerodramus fuciphagus) and the black-nest swiftlet (aerodramus maximus) in Malaysia is said to be of better quality.

LICENSING ISSUES RETARDING THE INDUSTRY

Nevertheless, of late there has been some concerns over the licensing problems of more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in Sarawak that could retard the industry.

In Peninsular Malaysia, swiftlet farms are allowed to be set up within shop houses and commercial lots in towns according to conditions set, but such setups are not allowed within towns in Sarawak.

This is because the Sarawak's Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 does not allow swiftlet farming within towns. At the same time, the state has no guidelines to allow swiftlet farming in towns unlike in Peninsular Malaysia.

Furthermore the Wildlife Protection Rules (Edible Bird Nests) 1998 and Wildlife Protection Rules 1998 expounds that the species can only be bred in agricultural areas in outskirts other that its original habitat like caves.

"By right, the state government should support the industry and liaise with the federal government by having a uniform guideline in swiftlet farming," said Koh Ung Leong to Bernama when met in Sibu recently.

The veterinarian said as the edible-nest swiftlet has high economic value, the industry helps to boost local real estate value and serves as a viable alternative to farmers and fishermen.

A survey conducted by Bernama found that many swiftlet farms have been set up in special structures and altered shophouses in towns along the coast line in Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu.

The state's edible-nest swiftlet merchants association earlier had sought the intervention of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to find a solution for the dilemma following strict enforcement in Mukah since last October.

THE CURRENT STATUS

Currently there is more than 1,500 swiftlet farms but only two have been licensed by the authorities. This means 99.8 percent of the swiftlet farms in the state is illegal.

"We hope the state government will prepare a guideline similar to the one in Peninsula. We will fully cooperate with the state to solve this issue," said the pro-tem chairman of the Sarikei edible-nest swiftlet merchants association, Wong Hua Ting.

On this issue, the state government has two choices whether to centralise swiftlet farming in a particular location by setting up an eco-park or adapt a specific guideline on swiftlet farming.

"It is impossible to transfer these birds. The swiftlet is not like chicken or duck to be caught and transferred. These birds have made their bird houses as the nest," said the chairman of the federation of Malaysian edible-nest swiftlet merchants association Datuk Beh Heng Seong.

At present, it is still not clear whether the swiftlets can be transferred moreover it is a species protected under the Wildlife Act 1972. As there are risks of the birds dying during transfer, especially the chicks, it is almost impossible to transfer them.

The question remains how the state government especially the Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD) and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) will handle the issue without leaving anyone in the losing end including the owners of the swiftlet farms.

THE STAND TAKEN ON THE ISSUE

The Director General of SFD who is also Chief Executive of the SFC Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the industry should be developed systematically based on the existing laws.

"Many of those seeking license are in towns which by the definition of the law they do not qualify," said Len Talif adding that the risks of epidemics like bird flu being the reason why the state government does not want to allow swiftlet farming in towns.

There were also complaints from the public on the stench from the bird droppings and the din from the speaker to entice the swiftlets to nest in the farms.

Len Talif also claimed that the setting up of swiftlet farms within towns disrupts business for some especially those in the food business or having stalls near the farms.

"There should not be guideline to setup the birdhouse in town. This contravenes the law," he said adding that the state government will build an eco-park and provide licenses for individuals keen in setting up the swiftlet farms on agricultural land in the rural areas.

BUREAUCRACY HURDLES

Many of the swiftlet farm owners see red over the bureaucracy involving the Land and Survey Department, Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA), SFC and the local government as the red tape is a serious impediment in getting a license for swiftlet farming.

Furthermore as there is no guarantee that the birds will nest in the proposed eco-park, that is why they want the state government to adopt the Veterinary Services Department's Best Practices in Animal Breeding (GAHP) for the swiftlet farming.

GAHP, which is among the conditions for licensing in Peninsula, has set certain specifications to ensure the swiftlet farms are set up in a conducive and environmentally friendly environment, which among others the noises from the speakers should not exceed 40 decibels and the speaker cone set facing the sky in a 60 degree angle to overcome noise pollution.

"We talk about "1Malaysia" which means the same law for everyone. Why then the state government does not want to accept this guideline," said a bird nest trader from Mukah, John Low.

He was referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement encouraging the people especially the Bumiputeras to venture into swiftlet farming that can boost the local economy.

The Mukah edible-nest swiftlet merchants association protem chairman, Philip Tiong, wanted the authorities to hold a dialog with swiftlet farm owners to find a solution for the dilemma and any `one way dialog' ordering them to shift out should never be the option.

CLAIMS OF MONOPOLY

Nonetheless, several swiftlet farm owners claimed that the setting up of the eco-park including in Mukah is the work of some to monopolise the industry.

This is because a kilogramme of the bird's nest can fetch RM4,000 and the figure doubles after the nests are processed for export to China, Hong Kong and Korea.

If the Mukah district can produce 100 kilogrammes of bird nest valued at RM400,000 monthly, just imagine the amount of revenue that can be generated by 40,000 swiftlet farms all over the country.

Though the allegations of monopoly is yet to be proven, the authorities should attend immediately to the current impasse that can derail the government's plan to develop the bird nest industry.

Meanwhile, head of the swiftlet unit of the Veterinary Services Department Dr Fadzilah A'ini Abdul Kadir noted that the department, which is the leading agency in monitoring the swiftlet industry, is keeping track on the developments in the industry.

Since the last three years, more than 5,000 samples of the swiftlet have been tested by the department and so far they have been free from bird flu and Newcastle disease, said Dr Fadzilah.

-- BERNAMA

Tourists caught unaware about new ruling on birds' nest

Tourists caught unaware about new ruling on birds' nest
Kong See Hoh

PENANG (April 15, 2009) : A new ruling prohibiting the import and export of bird's nest without a permit caught tourists unaware, resulting in them losing hundreds of thousands of ringgit as they have to surrender the delicacy on leaving the country.

Under the rule, it is an offence to bring into or take out of the country even a single cup of bird's nest unless a permit is obtained from the Wildlife and National Park Department.

Malaysia Bird’s Nest Merchants Association president Datuk Beh Heng Seong told Oriental Daily News that cases of ignorant tourists having to forfeit bird's nest at the immigration chechpoints are happening.

He estimated that hundreds of kilos of bird's nest worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit have been confiscated at the country's exit points.

Beh said he has been receiving complaints from members of the association on tourists having to surrender such prized gift item because they are not aware of the ban.

He believed the ruling would not only affect the bird's nest industry but also leave a negative impression of Malaysia on the tourists.

He said he understands the ruling is aimed at putting a stop to the smuggling of bird's nest out of the country, but deems it ridiculous for the authorities concerned to want tourists taking home some bird's nest to go all the way to the Wildlife and National Park Department to get a permit.

"Worse still, it takes four days to get obtain a permit. How do you expect a tourist to wait four days for a permit?"

According to the report, an one-off permit costs RM200 and bird's nest is subject to an export duty of RM100 per kg.

Beh lamented the lack of Wildlife and National Park Department counters at exit points and tourists caught unaware of the new ruling could only forfeit their bird's nest.

He said the government, which has always encouraged Malaysians to buy local products, should provide all the convenience and necessary assistance to foreigner visitors wanting to buy bird's nest, least to discourage them.

He said the cultivation of bird's nest is lucrative industry, bringing in about RM1 billion a year in foreign exchange.

He urged the new cabinet to take a serious view of the problem.

A bird's nest cultivator who did not want to be identified wondered why the authorities are so strict with tourists who just want to take home some bird's nest for own their consumption or as gifts for friends and relatives.

He said if the government allows a person to take out of the country up to 200 sticks of cigarettes and up to one litre of liquor at a time, there is no reason why a similar rule cannot be applied to bird's nest.

He suggested the authorities allow each tourist to carry up to a kilogramme of bird's nest without permit.

Meanwhile, an officer of the department in Penang dismissed allegations that it takes four days to obtain a permit.

He said the most it takes is half a day.

"If you come at 8am you might even get it done by 8.30am," he said.

He said the ruling is to curb smuggling of bird's nest which fetches as much as RM3,000 a kg.

Edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) or black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus) are protected species under Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 and anyone caught importing or exporting them without a permit can be fined up to RM3,000 or jailed up to three years or both.

Birds' nest industry reaping profits in Malaysia

Birds' nest industry reaping profits in Malaysia

By George Francis MIRI - The edible birds' nests industry is growing in Malaysia and is currently the third largest producers in the world, after Indonesia and Thailand, said Malaysian director general of veterinary services department, Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin. He said the export value last year from Peninsula Malaysia alone was over RM1 billion excluding from Sabah and Sarawak, which the latter contributed at more than one RM100 million. The products are exported to Hong Kong, China, Japan and Korea, he said, adding, there were plans to penetrate the Middle East and European markets. "We want to go direct to China, a major consuming country rather than via Hong Kong; a question of bilateral trade ties here is yet to be overcomed," he told reporters after officiating at the 'Veterinary-Consumer Month' state level held here. He said the veterinary services department plays a leading role in the swiftlet farming industry, and hence a national conference on the industry had been proposed to be held this year. "It is a continuously lucrative industry with high prices at international markets so we want to advance the methodology of swiftlet farming and to mechanise the processing sector in the country," he said. As the industry continues to expand and grow, more and more supplies of edible birds' nests sourced from purpose-built farms that are constructed specially to house edible nests swiflets find their way into the supply chain. The industry needs restructuring, he said, to benefit more new players and villagers if they have the land in semi-urban or rural areas as of now it is mushrooming in the urban areas. The feeding habitat always develop more or less around urban areas' built-in-houses now instead of natural rural habitat. He said the industry has long illustrious history for the last 100 years in operation and mainly sourced from indigenous suppliers who collect the nests from caves, which are the natural habitat of edible nests swiflets.

Bird Nest Entrepreneurs Want Taib To Intervene

February 15, 2009 13:51 PM

Bird Nest Entrepreneurs Want Taib To Intervene

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Bird nest entrepreneurs in Mukah want Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to intervene and help save the birdhouses from destruction.

"We don't have any other choice and only the chief minister can help solve the problem. A solution is needed for the benefit of all parties," said John Low, one of the bird nest entrepreneurs.

Low is among the 150 bird nest entrepreneurs in Mukah who operate illegal birdhouses, to be destroyed by Forestry Department rangers on Tuesday.

He told BERNAMA of the 150 bird nest entrepreneurs, only two had been given licence to operate. Sarawak has some 1,500 birdhouses.

On Oct 14 last year, rangers from the Forestry Department destroyed two birdhouses at Medan Setiaraya and the new township in Mukah.

"We just want the government to legalise the birdhouses. Prepare a guideline and we will follow it," said Mukah Bird Nest Entrepreneurs Association chairman Philip Tiong.

In Sarawak, the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998 states that birds can only live in its natural like caves, not in urban areas and the outskirt.

Unlike the other states, the Sarawak government has yet to come up with a guideline for swallow rearing for the sake of the public and environment.

In peninsular Malaysia, swallow rearing is allowed at commercial lots or shophouses but not residential areas.

Sarawak bird nest entrepreneurs wanted a dialogue with the Veterinary Services Department, relevant agencies and local authorities to find a solution to the problem.

"This is to address the problem and assist them to relocate to designated zones, to comply with proper rules and regulations like pig farming.

"At this moment, all the bird nest entrepreneurs are in the dark about the requirements," said Ben Chai.

He proposed that bird nest entrepreneurs be given a a two year grace period to relocate to new areas.

An industry source said the state government had two choices, relocate the birdhouses or prepare a guideline just like that in peninsular.

There are more than 10,000 swallow birdhouse premises nationwide producing over 12 tonnes of bird nests worth some RM500 million monthly.

-- BERNAMA

Rumah Walit Ahli PUSHPIAM

PENTERNAKAN WALIT??

Assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera..

Industri Burung Walit ini merupakan satu industri yang dahulunya agak tidak diketahui ramai..
hanya segelintir saja yang tahu khususnya kaum tiong hwa..
Kini..ia tidak lagi menjadi satu rahsia...
Bahkan hampir kesemua penduduk khususnya di Malaysia mengetahuinya akan kelebihan dan kehebatan yang tersembunyi sebalik industri ini..
Di mana..hasil yang dikeluarkan / diberi daripada industri ini cukup lumayan..malah boleh diwarisi sehingga beberapa generasi..
Tapi..
Kenapa baru kini semua mengetahuinya??fikirk-fikirkan lah bersama..

Baiklah..
Apa yg cuba ingin sy bangkitkan disini bukanlah persoalan mengapa baru kini semua mengetahui akan industri ini...
tetapi...
Apakah / adakah burung walit ini boleh di TERNAK??
Rata - rata sedia maklum bahawa spesis walit ini adalah burung liar...
ia terbang sendirian mencari makanan & minumannya...
ia tidak perlu dijaga..disuapkan makanan mahupun dibelai...
Jadi...kiranya burung Walit boleh di TERNAK...
bermakna ia tidak lg liar...sbb, kebiasaannya haiwan yg diternak ini akan menjadi jinak...
bila jinak bermakna haruslah dibelai...disuapkan makan dan minumnya..

Adakah proses ini boleh berlaku??
Adakah Wajar / Boleh burung walit ini di TERNAK??

AYUH!! sama-sama kita kongsi pendapat dan pandangan dr anda semua...
bolehlah kiranya rakan-rakan semua kongsikan pandangan, pendapat mahupun pengalaman anda tentang persoalan ini PENTERNAKAN WALIT?? di ruangan comment...
atau...
bolehla emelkan pendapat/pandangan rakan-rakan di rahimi@pushpiam.com

p/s: semuga ape yg cuba rakan-rakan kongsikan di sini boleh menjadi satu panduan bg rakan-rakan yg lain..

Site Visit - 28122008

Rising investments in swiftlet farming boost Malaysia’s bird nest exports

Saturday December 13, 2008

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.

NOTE: THERE ARE MANY CONSULTANCY COMPANY OF THE BIRD'S NEST INDUSTRY OUT THERE..BUT I SUGGEST THAT DO SOME RESEARCH FIRST REGARDING THEIR EXPERIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, PRICE AND SERVICES OFFERED TO YOU..

SWALLOW BIRD NEST INDUSTRY HAS HUGE POTENTIAL

KUANTAN, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The swallow bird nest industry should be encouraged and assisted to become a new source of income for the country what with the economic slowdown.

Debating the state budget 2009 here today, Chang Hong Seong (BN-Teruntum) said the bird nest industry in Malaysia had become competitive with increasing demand annually.

"There were 36,000 swallow houses nationwide in 2006 and over 3,000 were in Pahang. Malaysia is the third world largest exporter of bird nest after Indonesia and Thailand with exports of RM12 billion annually."

Chang said the government should help the entrepreneurs as local authorities were no longer issuing licences for swallow bird nest houses and had to relocate to the outskirt and rural areas.

"The government must prepare suitable sites for the bird nest business as it not only generate income but also add value to properties and create job opportunities."

-- MORE

ASSEMBLY-DEBATE (SWALLOW) 2 (LAST) KUANTAN

The assemblyman said demand for swallow bird nest was expected to increase following food promotion to the United States and other new markets.

"Report by the Wildlife Department that swallows do not carry any diseases means that it has huge income potential and cannot be ignored."

He said with proper planning, the swallow bird nest business could become an important source of income for the country.

The sitting continues tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA

Note: Swallow stated here mean swiflet or in malay 'walit'

Friday December 5, 2008

Swiftlet business soaring high in Pahang

By ROSLINA MOHAMAD

KUANTAN: A total of 1,489 swiftlet premises have been developed by 1,036 operators in Pahang.

Kuantan topped the list with 700 premises managed by 500 operators followed by Rompin, Pekan, Temerloh, Jerantut, Bera, Bentong and Raub.

State Agriculture, Agro-based Industries and Felda Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Tan Aminuddin Ishak said the high demands for swiftlet nests in the Chinese community made it a lucrative business.

The migration of the birds from caves to towns helped people set up new business ventures, he said.

“The annual trade in Malaysia is estimated to be worth RM500mil. In Pahang alone it is worth RM36mil,” he said here recently.

Tan Aminuddin said the bird’s raw nest could fetch between RM1,000 and RM2,000 per kilogram.

Interest in the industry was so high that commercial buildings and homes had been converted into nesting places, he added.

However, there were certain issues which needed attention, especially the risk of disease, bird droppings, cleanliness of towns, noise pollution, price of property devalued and depreciation in quality of life, Tan Aminuddin said.

In view of this, the Veterinary Services Department was committed in providing training on good animal husbandry practice, he added.

“This practice had been made a requirement under local government by-laws before the issuance of licences.

“The department has organised courses on this practice for operators to enable them to get the permits,” he said.

Tan Aminuddin also said the department would carry out checks from time to time to ensure the premises were free of diseases and did not pose risks to the public and the birds.

“The swiftlet industry has great potential for farmers in the state but there is a need to check its development to avoid conflicts and health risks.

“If properly managed, the industry can contribute to the state’s coffers with farmers earning good incomes,” he added.

Industri Walit Mula Diberi Perhatian Oleh Kerajaan

Issues Concerning Bird Nest Industry To Be Brought To Cabinet

November 26, 2008 00:02 AM

Issues Concerning Bird Nest Industry To Be Brought To Cabinet

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Issues relating to the bird nest industry which now has a value exceeding RM1 billion will be brought up to the Cabinet soon, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.

He said among the matters that would be raised was for the industry to come under a specific government agency like the Veterinary Services Department.

"They (industry players) think that the government is not giving enough attention to this industry. It is growing. We are one of the biggest producers of edible bird nest in the world," Mustapa told reporters after opening the Malaysia-Netherlands bilateral talks on agriculture here Tuesday.

Mustapa had been asked about the outcome of his meeting with edible bird nest industry players from throughout the country at his ministry in Putrajaya, last week.

Bernama had highlighted complaints by bird nest entreprenuers in Sarawak who had asked for Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's help to prevent enforcement officers from demolishing their nests because the premises did not have licences to operate the industry.

Unlike in the peninsula, Sarawak's laws do not permit urban premises to be used to grow birds nest.

-- BERNAMA