Tourists upset over houseflies

Poultry farmers blamed for the problem

PORT DICKSON: Holidaymakers, including guests at premier hotels here, are upset that their vacation is being spoilt by the humble housefly.

Locals claim the flies began appearing at the onset of the wet spell some three weeks ago.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has blamed the problem on the “open concept” poultry farming activities still practised by some businesses here.

“It has been several years since we told poultry farmers to move to the closed-farming concept so that we could minimise the number of flies.

“Some have refused to do so as they do not want to invest in the new system,” he said, adding that these irresponsible farmers would rather pay compounds to the Department of Environment.

Mohamad said there had been occasions where assemblymen would influence farmers not to invest in the closed system.

Mohamad said the state government temporarily froze the issuance of new licences some time ago.

“New investors must invest in the closed farming concept,” he said, adding that the existing farmers were given time to gradually move to the new system so they would not be financially burdened.

Mohamad said the state government would review licensing procedures for poultry farmers in a move to address the problem.

“Although the Veterinary Services Department is the one responsible for issuing licences, we will look at other ways to compel the farmers to invest in the new closed system,” he added.