TASEK GELUGOR – Nearly 50 pig farms in Kg Selamat in northern Seberang Prai have been found to be operating illegally for more than 40 years.
The situation has resulted in over 1,000 residents, especially in neighbouring Kg Tok Bedu, suffering the stench emanating from a nearby river polluted by effluents from these farms.
This is despite the state government approving the Pig Breeding Licensing (Penang State) Regulations 2020 on March 1.
Under the new rules, pig breeders must adopt a closed farming system and apply for a licence within six months of the date the regulations come into force.
However, it is understood that up till this month, there is no trial period for how the closed farming system will be implemented.
In August, the issue of pollution in Sg Kereh got the attention of the environment and water minister’s political secretary, Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki, who visited Kg Tok Bedu and saw pig excrement flowing into the river.
He then proposed that operations on pig farms be stopped until breeders work together to implement a zero-discharge system.
All such farms in Kg Selamat are believed to have yet to seek planning permission, and they do not have building plans from local authorities.
Also, they do not have a proper sewage system, resulting in animal faeces being drained directly into Sg Kereh.
Resident Rahim Daud, 78, told The Vibes that the river pollution has gone on for too long, and the authorities have yet to come up with a solution.
“We have raised this issue since the administration of chief minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu (from 1969 to 1990), but nothing has been done.
“Every time it rains, there is a very strong odour from the river and nearby areas.”
It is understood that there are currently 74 barns housing more than 100,000 pigs in Kg Selamat.
Each barn has about 2,000 pigs, producing 5,000kg of faeces a day. – The Vibes, December 10, 2020
