Time to change to modern pig farming, says Phee

GEORGE TOWN: The state government will conduct a joint operation with stakeholders to stop pig farms from disposing untreated sewage into the sea.

State Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the state government would like pig farmers to change to the modern closed farming with zero discharge.

“The pig discharge and other food and animal wastes can be converted into biogas to generate electricity and power to air cool the farms.

“This will make the pig farming industry healthier and cleaner,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Phee was commenting on The Star’s exclusive report yesterday on raw piggery waste polluting a 1km beach in Gertak Sanggul.

He said the state Drainage and Irrigation Department and the Department of Environment also confirmed the pollution.

“From stakeholders’ feedback, the biodiversity has been destroyed over the years and the increase of jellyfish population is affecting the tourism industry,” he said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia marine biologist Datuk Prof Dr Aileen Tan said animal sewage should be treated before being released into the sea.

“If this activity continues, we may start to lose our marine animals. The best thing is for such farms to invest in sewage treatment. There is no shortcut to it.

“The farm operator has to do something. It is their responsibility and commitment,” she said.

A reader of The Star C.H. Koh suggested that the relevant authorities implement a pig’s waste treatment by using a dewatering centrifugal machine.

“This machine will separate the liquid and the solid which could then be disposed appropriately.

“I am not an expert but I came across this machine while sourcing for a factory in an African country for cooking oil extraction,” he said.