NIBONG TEBAL: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is currently drafting a master plan for the pig farming industry to serve as a comprehensive guideline for industry players nationwide.
Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the plan will focus on sustainable development, particularly in managing animal waste to minimise environmental impact.
Advertisement
“I see the main issue in pig farming as environmental management. If mismanaged, it could trigger additional issues and, at worst, spark social tensions or sensitivities along ethnic and religious lines.
“That is why I thank Penang for taking the initiative to show us the best ways to manage waste responsibly,” he told reporters during the launch of the Kampung Valdor Centralised Biogas Facility project, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chan said that a full ban on pig farming in Selangor is unlikely to affect local pork supply in the near term, as the country’s self-sufficiency level for pork is around 65 per cent.
“However, in the long term, we must ensure that Malaysia’s non-Muslim communities continue to enjoy their cultural rights, including access to a key protein source. That is why I believe the industry still needs to be managed responsibly and sustainably,” he added.
Previously, the media reported that the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, did not permit pig farming in the state, citing concerns over environmental pollution and public unease.
The Ruler highlighted that pig farms could release foul odours and discharge waste into rivers, potentially contaminating the state’s clean water sources.
Subsequently, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced that the state will fully import pork to meet local demand, in line with the Sultan’s directive to halt pig farming across Selangor.
