ALL the pig farmers in Penang have been told to convert their farms into a closed-system by the end of this year in line with the Pig Farming Enactment Act 2016.
State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said the state government had initially wanted to turn the existing pig farms to closed-system by end of last year.
However, the rearers were given an extension of time to do so by this year.
There are a total of nine pig farms on the island and 147 on the mainland.
On pig waste being discharged to nearby rivers causing pollution, Dr Afif said through the closed-system, it would help to reduce river pollution problem.
“The pollution can at least be contained and avoided,” said Dr Afif at a press conference.
He had earlier been asked by reporters on the plight faced by the disgruntled residents at Kampung Air Melintas Kecil, Tasek Gelugor, whereby they claimed that pig waste was discharged to the river in Kampung Selamat before flowing to their place.
The issue was reported by the media and residents hoped that the state authorities would take immediate action to solve the matter.
Dr Afif, meanwhile, said he has taken note of the issue and had gone down to the ground soon being informed.
“Sometimes, there are many causes which led to river pollution other than pig waste. It might be discharged from household or even oil spill,” he said, adding that the Pig Farming Enactment Act 2016 would be applied in solving the issue.
Dr Afif was speaking to reporters after attending the launching of first Northern Region Ultrasound Handheld course (NRUSH) held in Eastin Hotel today.
In his speech, he said the state was looking forward to realising Industrial Revolution 4.0 as part of government’s direction.
The theme for the course held was ‘Towards Realising 4th Industrial Revolution’.
Dr Afif explained to those present that the ultrasound device was now being used in Kepala Batas, Bukit Mertajam and Seberang Jaya hospitals.
“This handheld ultrasound device is important for medical practitioners to do an early diagnosis when treating a patient,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi