Unlicensed pig farm ordered to close over river pollution

 

A pig farm in Sungai Lembu village, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, was ordered to shut down immediately after it was suspected of releasing farm waste, causing pollution in Sungai Kulim and Sungai Air Merah in Kedah.

Penang Agrotechnology, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Committee chairperson Fahmi Zainol said the directive was issued by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) after the farm was found to be operating without a licence.

“After an inspection, the DVS instructed the owner to vacate the premises and arrange for the pigs to be moved to the slaughterhouse,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Fahmi said as the number of livestock on the farm was substantial, the transfer would have to be done in stages, adding that DVS would take further legal action against the farm owner in addition to issuing a compound notice.

Earlier yesterday, the media reported that the Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) found suspected pig farm waste discharge from a Sungai Lembu village farm, causing pollution in Sungai Kulim and Sungai Air Merah in the Seberang Perai Tengah district.

Kedah DOE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said several ponds were found releasing effluents into Sungai Air Merah, which then flowed into Sungai Kulim, adding that the farm area is about 3km away from the confluence of the two rivers.

She highlighted that the Toh Allang Water Treatment Plant in Sungai Kulim which supplies water to Penang is located about 7km from where Sungai Kulim and Sungai Air Merah merged.

Meanwhile, Penang DOE director Norazizi Adinan said they took samples from five locations for testing.

“DOE officers have been at the site since yesterday (Feb 17) and investigations are still ongoing today (Feb 18).

“In this case, the DOE’s role is limited as we do not have jurisdiction over the farm. We will collaborate with other relevant authorities that have the legal jurisdiction and enforcement powers over the farm to address any issues or violations,” he said.

- Bernama