(MY) - Swiftlet breeders: Revise terms

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Tuesday November 22, 2005 - The Star

 

Swiftlet breeders: Revise terms

 

By SUSAN LOONE

 

OWNERS of swiftlet nest houses have asked the state government to

reconsider some of the terms and conditions in its new guidelines for

swiftlet breeders.

 

Malaysian Bird Nest House Owners Association president David Lim cited

the RM2,000 maximum penalty for breeders who did not comply with the

guidelines.

 

" It's very disappointing to hear that penalties can go up to about RM2,000.

 

" We have invested a lot in this business but some of us have not had

our returns even after three or four years of breeding swiftlets.

 

" We hope the government will give a grace period to breeders to

encourage the industry, " Lim told reporters after a dialogue session

between breeders and the Penang government as well as the Seberang

Prai Municipal Council in Butterworth on Tuesday.

 

The guidelines were announced by Local Government, Traffic Management,

Information and Community Relations Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng

Hock Nan at the dialogue session.

 

Also present were Ministry of Housing and Local Government Building

Commissioner Fong Tian Yong, Seberang Prai Council president Datuk Md.

Aris Ariffin and Council Director of Building Department Md Pilus Md

Nor.

 

Under the guidelines, the planning application, building plan and

renovation of the premises must be submitted for approved by the

council.

 

All these plans must be submitted to the council through a certified

consultant.

 

Building licences are renewable yearly, and the expiry date has been

fixed for Dec 31.

 

Teng said licences and approval would be revoked if breeders did not

comply with the guidelines.

 

He said prior to any activity, breeders need to apply for licences to

retrieve the nests (RM200 annually), trade (RM150 annually) and import

or export wild life (RM100 annually).

 

" Those breeding swiftlets must make sure the land they are using is

deemed a commercial site.

 

" Breeders using residential premises who cannot comply with the

regulations are given three years to find a suitable location, but the

sound system used to attract the birds must not exceed 20 decibels, "

he added.

 

Teng said the breeders have till December 31 this year to submit their

applications.

 

At present, there are about 800 breeders in mainland Penang, and 200

on the island.

 

Md Pilus said the local government is planning to start a one-stop

agency to help breeders with the various applications.

 

" Please do not worry. It may seem complicated but it is not, " he added.