Malaysian pig farmers to enhance biosecurity

Pig farmers in Perak are required to put in place improved standards of hygiene at their farms by March.

According to the Malaysian Consumer Affairs and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Mah Hang Soon, failure to do so could result in closure. This new directive follows the approval of the Control of Pig Farming (Licensing) Regulations 2009, which was passed by the Perak state executive council in October.

Mah said the regulations were introduced to streamline the various standards relating to health and the environment in the state's pig farming industry.

"While self-regulating is welcomed, the state realised that there is a need to monitor the industry within the ambit of the law, namely, the Control of Pig Farming Enactment (1992),'' he said.

There are 143 pig farmers in the state who supply 35% of Malaysia's pork demand. The production is valued at MYR450 million (US$131 million) a year.

Mah, who was joined by Perak Veterinary Department's director Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam in the discussion, said the state government, however, would educate the pig farmers on the need to improve the standards at their farms before enforcing the regulations.

He said the state government decided on the regulations after numerous complaints on environmental pollution caused by the pig farms and to safeguard the industry from collapsing due to diseases like AH1N1 and that caused by Nipah virus.

Interestingly, he added that since pig farming is the second biggest animal farming after the poultry industry, there is an urgent need to regulate the industry so that Perak farmers can continue to reap benefits from their businesses in the state.

The regulations will enable the Veterinary Department to monitor the use of drugs in the industry, which could harm the health of the public, especially the consumers. Mah also said that discussions on setting up pig farming areas with the state government will take place.