The Perak Menteri Besar delivering his speech during the Perak State Assembly Sitting.

IPOH, 25 May 2023 - The Perak State Assembly has passed the Poultry Farming Enactment (Amendment) Bill 2023 by streamlining the compliance requirements with poultry farming practice standards by licence holders, such as increasing the amount of penalties and revocation of licences for farmers who fail to comply with the law.

The decision was announced by State Assembly Speaker Dato' Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid after the bill was passed with a majority voice vote without amendment to the proposed amendment clauses.

Earlier, before the bill was passed, 22 State Assemblymen participated in the debate, nine from the government and 13 from the opposition.

State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee Chairman Dato' Mohd Zolkafly Harun during the winding-up session said that the process of transitioning the conventional poultry farming method, i.e., open farm system to a closed farm system, is expected to be fully implemented by 9 Dec 2025.

"Until now, 39 percent, i.e., 203 out of 516 licenced farms, have already switched to the closed farm system.

"Besides, the Poultry Farming Enactment (Amendment) Bill 2023 is only enforced within the poultry farm area and not outside the farm operation area," he said.

He added that if they caused nuisance to outside areas, such as public and tourism places, the veterinary service will investigate to identify the cause or source of the presence of flies from nearby poultry farms.

"The Veterinary Services Department has also formed a task force to take action against complaints and repeated violations committed by poultry farm operators.

"Legal action will be taken if there is evidence that the farms concerned violated the enactment by allowing flies to breed in poultry farms.

"In addition, compounds, fines, cancellation of licences and farm closures can be imposed on the farms involved," he said.

The Poultry Farming Enactment (Amendment) Bill 2023 will ensure that the regulation of poultry farming in Perak is always at the best level and in line with the latest requirements for farming operations to achieve the food security policy in the Perak Sejahtera Plan 2030.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.