Stop polluting or get hauled to court, Sepang pig farmers warned

THE Selangor government has ordered pig farmers in Tanjung Sepat, Sepang to take immediate measures to prevent further pollution of nearby coastal waters or face legal action.

Following reports that area residents had complained about foul smell and water pollution in the form of black liquid in drains and flowing out to sea, a multi-agency investigation concluded that water pollution had occurred due to conventional pig farming practices.

State tourism, environment, green technology and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian (pic) said the pig farms did not use a closed-house farming system.

In this system, animals are reared in an enclosed building with controlled ventilation to reduce airborne contamination.

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“The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) will instruct all operators involved to carry out cleaning and maintenance work on livestock farms and sewage removal immediately.

“Livestock excrement should be disposed of outside the farm area and sent to an authorised disposal site,” Hee said.

“The Selangor Water Management Board will also instruct the owner of the relevant land to immediately rehabilitate the drainage there so that water released from the lot does not cause pollution.

“Water quality sampling will also be carried out and legal action will be taken if there is an element of pollution.”

He said he would discuss the matter further with infrastructure and public amenities, agriculture modernisation and agro-based industry committee chairman Izham Hashim and hold talks with all pig farm operators and their associations in Selangor.

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“DVS will also coordinate the planning and streamlining of livestock management operations with industry players.

“The main goal is systematic livestock waste management to prevent contamination of nearby water sources," he added.

Based on DVS records, there are 118 active pig farms within the Hulu Langat district and all are licensed by the department.

The multi-agency operation at Tanjung Sepat on Sept 23 included the DVS, LUAS, Selangor Environment Department, Kuala Langat District and Land Office as well as the Kuala Langat Municipal Council.

This was after Utusan Malaysia highlighted that over 7,000 residents of Tanjung Sepat have endured water and odour pollution for decades.