National Guidelines Given A Nod !!!

The Malaysian Goverment finally approved the National Swiftlet Farming Guidelines:

Read the following news from The Malay Mail found at:

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/42809-govt-announces-new-guidelines-swiftlet-farmers 

Govt announces new guidelines for Swiftlet Farmers
 
KEVIN ONG
Monday, July 12th, 2010 14:40:00

KUALA LUMPUR: After much debacle, swiftlet farming finally has a standardised set of formal guidelines along with a core plan to oversee its development which is expected to produce RM5 billion in revenue by 2015 for the country.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar, said swiftlet farming shall be industrialised as it has a high market value and is profitable.

"The Cabinet has been briefed on the new standards and procedures and has dutifully approved it," Noh said in a Press conference held at the Farmers Organisation Authority headquarters in Damansara this morning.

He said in order to achieve good results, the core plan for the swiftlet farming industry will highlight several important aspects such as research and development, widening the market and proper funding to encourage those who are less fortunate in the industry.

"Besides that, the core plan will also concentrate on disease-free swiftlet products as strict guidelines will be imposed on swiftlet farming premises.

"The Department of Veterinarian Services (DVS) has been appointed by the government to spearhead the swiftlet industry. It has developed a registration system for swiftlet farmers on their website www.burungwalit.com.my" he said.

Noh said this new website is fully operational and it is standardised and eases the registration process for applicants.

"After the application is sent, officials from the DVS, the Department of Environment and other relevant government bodies will inspect the proposed farming premises."

The cabinet has also proposed a 'one-stop agency' involving relevant government bodies in all states to further help ease swiftlet farming applications.

Interested applicants are advised to register their premises before the application window closes by end of this year.

The DVS will provide each swiftlet farm with a Radio Frequency Indentification (RFID) to assist in identifying the location of the farms which are required to be far from residential areas.

Noh added that part of the core plan is to create productive workforce in the swiftlet farming industry.

"Since most of the swiftlet products we export are raw and unprocessed, standard procedures in the processing line can not only help us make the best of our resources but also provide job opportunities."

With a market price of RM7,000 per kilogramme, swiftlet farming captured the attention of many businessmen in Malaysia.

Illegal swiftlet farming carried out through the aid of abandoned buildings and structures in residential and commercial areas has caused a government crackdown.

In April this year, the state government of Sabah has imposed a ban on swiftlet farming. Since then, major cities of Ipoh and Johor Baru have followed.

Swiftlet farmers believe tests and studies on the birds have disputed allegations that the birds were disease carriers.