PUTRAJAYA: Only 38 of the 737 pig-breeding farms in the country are in compliance with the standards set by the Veterinary Services Department, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) said yesterday.

He said farmers who do not comply with the standards have a grace period up to 2016 before enforcement is imposed.

“All pig-breeding farms must adhere to four criteria under the concept of modern pig farming,” he told reporters after the ministry’s monthly assembly.

The criteria are: (i) sealed enclosures; (ii) a zero discharge waste management system; (iii) enclosures located at least 200m from houses, schools, clinics, houses of worship and public amenities; and (iv) the adoption of Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), he said.

Following the grace period, Ismail Sabri said, farmers who fail to comply with the regulations will face action under the Control of Pig Breeding Enactment.

At the event, Ismail Sabri launched the Young Agropreneur pullout of the Kosmo newspaper.

He said the ministry would propose to the cabinet to set up a Ruminant Board to promote and step up the production of meat and meat products.

“The Veterinary Services Department has been asked to prepare a paper on the proposal,” he said.

He said this is necessary in view of the rising demand for meat products and to reduce dependence on imported meat. — Bernama

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on November 4, 2014.