SELANGOR will not renew licences for pig farms in Tanjung Sepat as it plans to phase out operations there by the third quarter of the year.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the process now was for the farms to vacate.
He said the depopulation process would be carried out in stages.
“We are giving about six months for the process to be finalised,” he said.
Izham said the number of farms had already reduced from about 30 previously and the figure would continue to decline as the phase-out progressed.
He said there were still African Swine Fever (ASF) cases and veterinary authorities were continuing surveillance.
“The disease is still active.
“We are monitoring closely,” he said.
According to Izham, animals at farms that tested positive for ASF would be culled on site and the farm would be closed immediately.
Izham was speaking to reporters after a handover ceremony for the Long-Term Road Maintenance Contract (KJP) for 2026-2030 and the delivery of new machinery to Selangor Public Works Department at Stadium JKR Shah Alam.
For disease-free farms, Izham said operators would be allowed time to clear existing livestock but would not be permitted to bring in new stock.
“They are not allowed to bring in new animals.
“They can only clear what they have. After that, they must vacate,” he said.
Izham said no new licences have been issued since last year and the current process involved supervised depopulation and clearance.
On objections to a proposed pig farm project in Bukit Tagar, he said no specific site has been finalised.
“We have not finalised any location yet.
“Why talk about cancellation when nothing has been decided?” he said.
Izham said livestock farming could not be halted entirely as it involved food security considerations.
He, however, said any future facility must comply with strict requirements.
“We cannot simply stop it because this involves food security.
“But it must be done properly,” he said.
He said any approved site must be located far from residential areas and water sources, with sufficient buffer zones and the use of modern closed-system technology with zero discharge standards.
Izham added that the state was in discussions with investors on modern farming technology that met environmental and health requirements before making any final decision.
