NIBONG TEBAL: The closure of pig farms in Selangor will not significantly affect the country’s supply of pork, says Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
He said the move would not have a major impact on the nation's pork self-sufficiency level (SSL), which currently stands at 65%.
"Malaysia supplements its SSL with imported pork. In the long run, we still need to ensure that the non-Muslim community will still enjoy the right to practise their own culture and have their own major protein source," he said.
Chan was speaking to the press after launching a biogas facility at Kampung Valdor in Jawi, Penang, on Saturday (Feb 14).
It was reported on Friday (Feb 13) that Selangor has ceased issuing new pig farming licences and is working to close existing farm sites in Tanjong Sepat.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the closure of these farms would be expedited in a joint effort with the state Veterinary Services Department.
He said the decision was made during a recent state executive council meeting, in line with a decree by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, that pig farms should not operate in any district in the state.
