Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Dr. TanDY

Selangor to reduce number of pig farms

22 Jun 2006

SHAH ALAM: Selangor aims to gradually reduce the number of pigs reared in the State by about two-thirds in an effort to reduce river pollution and protect the water supply.

Farmers would not be allowed to export their pigs to other States in order to meet domestic demand, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo.

He said pig farms in Semenyih had already been ordered to cease operations or have their land seized by the State Government.

Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) secretary-general Sim Ah Hock said the ruling does not make sense as Selangor was importing pigs from other States to meet the demand in the Klang Valley. He said Selangor farmers supplied only about 35 per cent of the demand.

Sim, who owns a pig farm in Semenyih, said: "Reducing the number of pigs by about 200,000 will only affect the prices.

"The farm price of pigs is now RM6.40 per kilo. If the State carries out this proposal, prices could go up to as much as RM10 per kilo."

Khir said pig farms produced chemicals that could not be treated.

"Selangor will not be the first place to restrict pig farming," he said after chairing the weekly State Exco meeting here yesterday.

He added that the State Government would continue to look for a solution to the problem.