GEORGE TOWN – Twenty-six pig farms in Kg Selamat, Tasek Gelugor, here have been found to be dumping sewage and animal faeces directly into a nearby river, the Penang Legislative Assembly heard yesterday.
State Agrotechnology and Food Safety Committee chairman Norlela Ariffin said the Seberang Prai City Council has referred the farms’ owners to the courts while waiting for the Penang Pig Farming Enactment 2020 to be enforced next year.
“Through the enactment, the demolition of pig farms that do not follow the rules – including dumping waste into rivers – can be undertaken by local authorities,” she said when wrapping up her debate on the Supply Bill and a motion on 2021 Development Estimates.
While waiting for the law to take effect on January 1, she said, the state government, in collaboration with various agencies, has taken measures against river pollution caused by pig farms.
“Among them is the cooperation with the Irrigation and Drainage Department to set traps in drains so that pig-farm waste does not directly enter the river.
“In addition, we are also working with Indah Water Konsortium and Tenaga Nasional Bhd to dispose of pig waste, including converting it for use in the biogas industry.”
She said the enactment also requires pig farms to become closed facilities.
So far, 112 applications have been received to build pig farms, she added. – Bernama, October 16, 2020
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