THE state government is actively working to address odour and environmental issues arising from pig farms, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said that pig farm operations must comply with the Pig Farming Enactment, which has been already approved and enforced.
“Licensing for pig farms requires operators to function within a closed system, and all waste must be treated to meet the standards set by the Department of Environment before being discharged.
“Over the years, there have been improvements. We have also given pig farm operators flexibility to upgrade their facilities, which naturally takes time.
“In Penang, pig farms are located in two main areas: Kampung Valdor in South Seberang Perai and Kampung Selamat in North Seberang Perai,” Chow said during a press conference after attending a mock cheque presentation ceremony for mission schools at Komtar today.
Chow added that the state government has engaged with various environmental companies over the years to explore ‘waste-to-energy’ projects for treating pig farm waste.
“At Kampung Valdor, one company has successfully converted waste into energy. This pilot project can now be expanded to other pig farms.
“Meanwhile, at Kampung Selamat, the waste-to-energy project by another company did not meet expectations. It is not that actions were not taken, but the outcomes of the project were unsatisfactory.
“Looking at the success story at Kampung Valdor, the State Executive Council (MMK) has decided to request the same company to set up a similar facility at Kampung Selamat. With this, we hope to see a comprehensive solution,” Chow said.
He added that he plans to visit Kampung Valdor on Feb 14 to see the waste-to-energy project firsthand.
Also present at the press conference was State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud