Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
马来西亚燕窝生意兴旺 引发当地居民抗议
马来西亚燕窝生意兴旺 引发当地居民抗议
2009-08-07
马来西亚是继印尼和泰国之后的世界第三大燕窝供应国。然而，马来西亚兴旺的燕窝生意的生产方式近来却招徕当地居民的抗议。自由亚洲电台记者闻剑的采访报道。
在位于马来西亚首都吉隆坡西南的港口城市巴生港， 一家旅馆业主已将他多层旅馆建筑物的部分改建成金丝燕的“汽车旅馆”，因为金丝燕可以在那里筑巢，可以生产出华人世界视之为珍贵佳肴和名贵药材的燕窝。为了吸引金丝燕离开他们自然筑巢的洞穴，在旅馆混凝土建筑物上“安家落户”，这位旅馆业主必须从早到晚播放刺耳的燕叫声。从早到晚播放的燕叫声，再加上大量金丝燕的嘈杂声和粪便使当地居民原本正常的生活平静被打破了。
失去了平静生活的当地居民开始抗议，要求政府规范和管理兴旺但却无序的燕窝生意。
在中华文化中，燕窝一直被看成是一种滋补的珍品，有着“东方鱼子酱”美誉。对此，在美国纽约经营新怡东大酒楼、纽约中国城华商俱乐部负责人杨功德表示：
“燕窝很多人在传说是保美容的嘛。所以很多人对燕窝方面比较有兴致嘛。特别女孩子为美容什么的。燕窝应该说对人体很有帮助，听传说燕窝可以保美容健美这东西的，所以很多人听这个大名来寻找。燕窝当做典品来用也不算很多，一般呢，可是很多人买回去做保健用。”
虽然华人世界消费了全世界百分之七八十的燕窝，但消费大户中国大陆并不怎么生产品质良好的燕窝，大多数依赖进口。华人消费者不仅认为燕窝是一种保健滋补品面具有壮阳和延年益寿功效，而且还是一种地位的象征，历史上只有帝王才能享用。对此，旅居美国的中国问题观察人士张伟国表示：
“现在中国好像又有钱了，恢复一些生活传统或者是把这种东西做为是一种追求时尚，做为自己身价的一种标志。这个也是中国社会本身畸形发展的一种情况。因为在一个正常社会里面这种东西它消费肯定都是很有限的。”
燕窝的消费，如果单单看中国海关的统计的确很有限。统计资料显示，中国国内以正常进口方式的燕窝，近年来始终保持在每年一吨以下。 然而，有业内人士保守估计，去年一年中国燕窝消费量却在350吨以上。中国海关的统计和实际消费差距如此之大，这说明大多数燕窝都是走私进入中国。张卫国对此表示：
“你看要这么大规模进行走私才能去消费的这样一种行为，我的感觉本身就它已经很有趣了，很变态了吧。另外一个就是这种关系随着自然和文明的发展，它也会有一个调整。就像以前中医里对虎骨不是很看重的嘛，等到这个动物保护浪潮到了某一种程度以后，他也不得不做调整。”
张伟国所说的调整是指中国人对燕窝的消费数量和观念也会随着有关情况的变化而改变。总部设在英国伦敦的环保组织“地球之友”马来西亚分部要求马来西亚政府及禁止人工生产燕窝生意，因为除了对当地居民的生活和健康造成影响之外，金丝燕的自然生态受到破坏。
以上是自由亚洲电台记者闻剑的采访报道。
2009-08-07
马来西亚是继印尼和泰国之后的世界第三大燕窝供应国。然而，马来西亚兴旺的燕窝生意的生产方式近来却招徕当地居民的抗议。自由亚洲电台记者闻剑的采访报道。
在位于马来西亚首都吉隆坡西南的港口城市巴生港， 一家旅馆业主已将他多层旅馆建筑物的部分改建成金丝燕的“汽车旅馆”，因为金丝燕可以在那里筑巢，可以生产出华人世界视之为珍贵佳肴和名贵药材的燕窝。为了吸引金丝燕离开他们自然筑巢的洞穴，在旅馆混凝土建筑物上“安家落户”，这位旅馆业主必须从早到晚播放刺耳的燕叫声。从早到晚播放的燕叫声，再加上大量金丝燕的嘈杂声和粪便使当地居民原本正常的生活平静被打破了。
失去了平静生活的当地居民开始抗议，要求政府规范和管理兴旺但却无序的燕窝生意。
在中华文化中，燕窝一直被看成是一种滋补的珍品，有着“东方鱼子酱”美誉。对此，在美国纽约经营新怡东大酒楼、纽约中国城华商俱乐部负责人杨功德表示：
“燕窝很多人在传说是保美容的嘛。所以很多人对燕窝方面比较有兴致嘛。特别女孩子为美容什么的。燕窝应该说对人体很有帮助，听传说燕窝可以保美容健美这东西的，所以很多人听这个大名来寻找。燕窝当做典品来用也不算很多，一般呢，可是很多人买回去做保健用。”
虽然华人世界消费了全世界百分之七八十的燕窝，但消费大户中国大陆并不怎么生产品质良好的燕窝，大多数依赖进口。华人消费者不仅认为燕窝是一种保健滋补品面具有壮阳和延年益寿功效，而且还是一种地位的象征，历史上只有帝王才能享用。对此，旅居美国的中国问题观察人士张伟国表示：
“现在中国好像又有钱了，恢复一些生活传统或者是把这种东西做为是一种追求时尚，做为自己身价的一种标志。这个也是中国社会本身畸形发展的一种情况。因为在一个正常社会里面这种东西它消费肯定都是很有限的。”
燕窝的消费，如果单单看中国海关的统计的确很有限。统计资料显示，中国国内以正常进口方式的燕窝，近年来始终保持在每年一吨以下。 然而，有业内人士保守估计，去年一年中国燕窝消费量却在350吨以上。中国海关的统计和实际消费差距如此之大，这说明大多数燕窝都是走私进入中国。张卫国对此表示：
“你看要这么大规模进行走私才能去消费的这样一种行为，我的感觉本身就它已经很有趣了，很变态了吧。另外一个就是这种关系随着自然和文明的发展，它也会有一个调整。就像以前中医里对虎骨不是很看重的嘛，等到这个动物保护浪潮到了某一种程度以后，他也不得不做调整。”
张伟国所说的调整是指中国人对燕窝的消费数量和观念也会随着有关情况的变化而改变。总部设在英国伦敦的环保组织“地球之友”马来西亚分部要求马来西亚政府及禁止人工生产燕窝生意，因为除了对当地居民的生活和健康造成影响之外，金丝燕的自然生态受到破坏。
以上是自由亚洲电台记者闻剑的采访报道。
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
While enjoying the lucrative business, please look at the negative outcome...
Dear fellow birdfarmers,
It is very sad to read another article about the negative effect of our swiflet industry. If this complains were to be going on, i can't imagine what will be our business in future.......please be considerate.......
"'Bird's nest' boom in Malaysia sparks protests
By M. Jegathesan (AFP) – Aug 5, 2009
KLANG, Malaysia — Thousands of bird "motels" have opened across Malaysia to lure the swiftlets whose nests are harvested to make bird's nest soup, a costly delicacy in Chinese cuisine.
But as the business booms and flocks of swiftlets -- who make the nests out of their saliva -- descend on towns and villages, the noisy, messy practice has triggered a wave of protest.
In the heart of the coastal town of Klang, southwest of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the owner of the Goldcourse Hotel has converted part of the multi-storey building into a swiftlet "motel".
To entice the swiflets to build their nests in their concrete home -- and not their natural cave habitat -- from sun-up to sun-down a soundtrack of shrill bird noises including mating calls is blasted from speakers.
Nearby, other entrepreneurs have opened competing ventures by turning four-storey shophouses into bird havens, and the cacophony and shower of bird droppings is alienating those living and working nearby.
"The sound is so loud and irritating, and the bird droppings can be harmful to our health," said local resident Abdul Hamid Abdullah as he watched the swiflets dart in and out of the buildings.
"These birds build their nests in caves. That is where they should be," the 46-year-old told AFP.
Malaysia's swiftlet industry began in the 1980s but gained momentum after the 1997 Asian financial crisis when entrepreneurs converted the interiors of abandoned properties into bird motels.
Fans of the gelatinous soup, which is popular in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, say it can stave off ageing, boost sex drive, prevent lung disease and enhance the complexion.
A kilogram (2.2 pounds) of the small, cup-shaped nests can fetch 4,000 ringgit (1,130 dollars), and the combination of big profits and a lack of legislation has seen countless swiftlet "farms" established illegally in populated areas.
Kenneth Khoo, from the Small and Medium Industries Association in northern Penang, told AFP that the global trade in raw bird's nests was estimated at 20 billion ringgit (5.7 billion dollars).
"Swiftlet farming in Malaysia is a sunrise industry. Demand far exceeds supply as more wealthy Chinese emerge," he said, adding that bird's nest soup remains a status-booster on business menus in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Khoo said Indonesia controls up to 70 percent of the business in the region, sourcing its bird's nests from both caves and farms, while the other two main producers are Thailand and Malaysia.
He estimated that there are at least 35,000 swiftlet farms in Malaysia, only about 4,500 with legal permits, in a business worth 800 million to 1.2 billion ringgit.
But as the industry expands along the east and west coasts of peninsular Malaysia, opposition to the swiflet farms is growing louder and environmentalists are demanding a complete ban.
There are also allegations of cruelty as some "farmers" reputedly destroy chicks and fertilised eggs in order to harvest the nests at times when prices are high.
Conservation group Friends of the Earth has condemned the trade and called on the government to close down the proliferating swiftlet farms.
"This rather impetuous booming industry has led to complaints from the public due to the nuisance, health hazards and the number of bird hotels coming up," said Mohamad Idris, president of the group's Malaysian branch.
"Collectors may not wait long enough for the young to fledge, often throwing the chicks onto the ground or leaving them to die after taking the nests," he said.
"In view of the problems faced by many in the farming of swiftlets and from the welfare point of view of the birds, we would like to call for a ban on all farming of swiftlets."
It is very sad to read another article about the negative effect of our swiflet industry. If this complains were to be going on, i can't imagine what will be our business in future.......please be considerate.......
"'Bird's nest' boom in Malaysia sparks protests
By M. Jegathesan (AFP) – Aug 5, 2009
KLANG, Malaysia — Thousands of bird "motels" have opened across Malaysia to lure the swiftlets whose nests are harvested to make bird's nest soup, a costly delicacy in Chinese cuisine.
But as the business booms and flocks of swiftlets -- who make the nests out of their saliva -- descend on towns and villages, the noisy, messy practice has triggered a wave of protest.
In the heart of the coastal town of Klang, southwest of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the owner of the Goldcourse Hotel has converted part of the multi-storey building into a swiftlet "motel".
To entice the swiflets to build their nests in their concrete home -- and not their natural cave habitat -- from sun-up to sun-down a soundtrack of shrill bird noises including mating calls is blasted from speakers.
Nearby, other entrepreneurs have opened competing ventures by turning four-storey shophouses into bird havens, and the cacophony and shower of bird droppings is alienating those living and working nearby.
"The sound is so loud and irritating, and the bird droppings can be harmful to our health," said local resident Abdul Hamid Abdullah as he watched the swiflets dart in and out of the buildings.
"These birds build their nests in caves. That is where they should be," the 46-year-old told AFP.
Malaysia's swiftlet industry began in the 1980s but gained momentum after the 1997 Asian financial crisis when entrepreneurs converted the interiors of abandoned properties into bird motels.
Fans of the gelatinous soup, which is popular in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, say it can stave off ageing, boost sex drive, prevent lung disease and enhance the complexion.
A kilogram (2.2 pounds) of the small, cup-shaped nests can fetch 4,000 ringgit (1,130 dollars), and the combination of big profits and a lack of legislation has seen countless swiftlet "farms" established illegally in populated areas.
Kenneth Khoo, from the Small and Medium Industries Association in northern Penang, told AFP that the global trade in raw bird's nests was estimated at 20 billion ringgit (5.7 billion dollars).
"Swiftlet farming in Malaysia is a sunrise industry. Demand far exceeds supply as more wealthy Chinese emerge," he said, adding that bird's nest soup remains a status-booster on business menus in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Khoo said Indonesia controls up to 70 percent of the business in the region, sourcing its bird's nests from both caves and farms, while the other two main producers are Thailand and Malaysia.
He estimated that there are at least 35,000 swiftlet farms in Malaysia, only about 4,500 with legal permits, in a business worth 800 million to 1.2 billion ringgit.
But as the industry expands along the east and west coasts of peninsular Malaysia, opposition to the swiflet farms is growing louder and environmentalists are demanding a complete ban.
There are also allegations of cruelty as some "farmers" reputedly destroy chicks and fertilised eggs in order to harvest the nests at times when prices are high.
Conservation group Friends of the Earth has condemned the trade and called on the government to close down the proliferating swiftlet farms.
"This rather impetuous booming industry has led to complaints from the public due to the nuisance, health hazards and the number of bird hotels coming up," said Mohamad Idris, president of the group's Malaysian branch.
"Collectors may not wait long enough for the young to fledge, often throwing the chicks onto the ground or leaving them to die after taking the nests," he said.
"In view of the problems faced by many in the farming of swiftlets and from the welfare point of view of the birds, we would like to call for a ban on all farming of swiftlets."
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Kaum Melayu Tidak Ketinggalan Dalam Pengusahaan Burung Walit
Pada 3hb Ogos 2009, dalam seminar GAHP burung walit anjuran pihak Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar Johor,saya rasa bangga kerana telah mendengar seorang usahawan yang amat berjaya dalam usaha burung walit. Beliau telah sanggup menghasilkan lebih kurang 10kg sebulan sarang burung,ini bermakna lebih kurang RM 40,000 sebulan. Beliau adalah En Aisa Bin Harun. Adakah anda minat angka-angka yang banyak ooooo???
Di sini salah satu lagi pengusaha kaum Melayu yang berjaya. Beliau bukan sahaja dapat pendapatan dari Hasil Kelapa Sawit, bahkan juga dapat dari penjualan sarang burung walit tiap-tiap bulan. Syabas, harap lebih lagi Kaum Melayu dampir ke hadapan untuk mencontohi mereka. Just Do It!
Berita terbitan dari internet adalah seperti berikut:
"KOTA TINGGI 10 Ogos - Bukan mudah bagi Ibrahim Marsan, 51, untuk memulakan projek sarang burung walit.
Namun atas usaha dan minat yang mendalam, dia sanggup menebalkan muka bertanya kepada para penternak sedia ada.
Ibrahim yang merupakan salah seorang peneroka di Felda Lok Heng Barat, Kota Tinggi, Johor bernasib baik kerana mempunyai ramai rakan kaum Cina yang mengusahakan penternakan itu dan tidak lokek untuk menurunkan ilmu kepadanya.
Menurutnya, salah satu faktor dia ingin menceburi bidang tersebut kerana ia mampu memberikan keuntungan lumayan.
"Sudah 22 tahun saya menetap di Felda ini dan melakukan pekerjaan yang sama iaitu menanam kelapa sawit. Kita tanam dan apabila sudah masak kita pungut dan perkara yang sama perlu dilakukan sehingga pokok ditebang untuk tanam semula.
"Apabila pokok-pokok ditebang, peladang tidak ada hasil serta terpaksa meminjam untuk meneruskan kehidupan. Justeru, saya lihat penternakan burung walit ini berbeza daripada biasa. Kita tidak perlu beli benih, menjaga atau bagi makan, cuma sediakan rumah sahaja dan cukup masa kutip hasil yang berpanjangan," katanya.
Menyedari kelebihan itu, Ibrahim nekad mengambil keputusan membina rumah burung walit pertamanya pada dua tahun lalu dengan kos RM40,000.
Rumah burung berkenaan yang dibina dengan modal hasil titik peluh selama ini didirikan di bahagian atas rumahnya.
"Nak bina rumah burung di tapak lain, saya takut kalau projek pertama ini tidak menjadi dan sebab itulah bina di atas rumah.
"Alhamdulillah, setelah dua tahun saya dapat melihat hasilnya. Memang menguntungkan, namun setakat ini saya belum mengkomersialkan lagi dan hanya untuk makanan kami sekeluarga sahaja," katanya.
Ibrahim turut mempunyai bengkel membaiki motosikal yang diuruskan oleh anaknya itu berkata, pada masa ini terdapat kira-kira 2,000 ekor burung walit yang menginap di rumah burung miliknya.
Setiap hari, dia akan memainkan muzik bunyi burung dari pukul 6.30 pagi hingga 7.45 petang untuk memanggil burung-burung berkenaan.
Katanya, burung tersebut tidak akan membina sarang dengan mudah jika persekitarannya tidak sesuai dan biasanya setelah empat bulan menginap, barulah burung-burung itu akan membina sarang daripada air liurnya.
Menyedari projek penternakan itu mampu memberi pendapatan lumayan, Ibrahim kini memperuntukkan RM200,000 untuk membina sebuah lagi rumah burung dua tingkat yang lebih besar berhampiran rumahnya dan dijangka siap akhir tahun ini.
DiwariskanBapa kepada lima anak iaitu Helmi, 28; Elizam, 25; Elizan, 24; Elliza, 22; dan Mohd. Eezad, 19, berkata, hasil perkongsian hidup dengan Rosidah Dawi, 50, apa yang diusahakan akan diwariskan kepada anak-anaknya pada masa akan datang.
"Sekarang ini saya hanya dapat pungut satu kilogram (kg) sahaja sarang burung. Pada saya itu petanda baik kerana satu gram harga jualan adalah RM4.50. Mungkin pada masa depan saya mampu memungut 10 hingga 20kg sarang burung sebulan.
"Kalau ada yang berminat untuk memulakan projek ini saya sedia berkongsi pengalaman kerana ia menguntungkan. Saya harap lebih ramai orang Melayu mengusahakan penternakan ini," katanya yang turut mendapat sebuah tapak daripada Felda untuk membina sebuah rumah burung lagi.
Menurutnya, setiap satu sarang burung mampu mencecah berat kira-kira 10 gram dan ia dijual dengan harga yang tinggi kerana dipercayai baik untuk kesihatan.
Selain dibuat jeli, sarang burung juga diproses menjadi air minuman kesihatan dengan direndam bagi mengasingkan bulunya sebelum dikukus atau rebus bersama gula batu dan daun pandan."
Di sini salah satu lagi pengusaha kaum Melayu yang berjaya. Beliau bukan sahaja dapat pendapatan dari Hasil Kelapa Sawit, bahkan juga dapat dari penjualan sarang burung walit tiap-tiap bulan. Syabas, harap lebih lagi Kaum Melayu dampir ke hadapan untuk mencontohi mereka. Just Do It!
Berita terbitan dari internet adalah seperti berikut:
"KOTA TINGGI 10 Ogos - Bukan mudah bagi Ibrahim Marsan, 51, untuk memulakan projek sarang burung walit.
Namun atas usaha dan minat yang mendalam, dia sanggup menebalkan muka bertanya kepada para penternak sedia ada.
Ibrahim yang merupakan salah seorang peneroka di Felda Lok Heng Barat, Kota Tinggi, Johor bernasib baik kerana mempunyai ramai rakan kaum Cina yang mengusahakan penternakan itu dan tidak lokek untuk menurunkan ilmu kepadanya.
Menurutnya, salah satu faktor dia ingin menceburi bidang tersebut kerana ia mampu memberikan keuntungan lumayan.
"Sudah 22 tahun saya menetap di Felda ini dan melakukan pekerjaan yang sama iaitu menanam kelapa sawit. Kita tanam dan apabila sudah masak kita pungut dan perkara yang sama perlu dilakukan sehingga pokok ditebang untuk tanam semula.
"Apabila pokok-pokok ditebang, peladang tidak ada hasil serta terpaksa meminjam untuk meneruskan kehidupan. Justeru, saya lihat penternakan burung walit ini berbeza daripada biasa. Kita tidak perlu beli benih, menjaga atau bagi makan, cuma sediakan rumah sahaja dan cukup masa kutip hasil yang berpanjangan," katanya.
Menyedari kelebihan itu, Ibrahim nekad mengambil keputusan membina rumah burung walit pertamanya pada dua tahun lalu dengan kos RM40,000.
Rumah burung berkenaan yang dibina dengan modal hasil titik peluh selama ini didirikan di bahagian atas rumahnya.
"Nak bina rumah burung di tapak lain, saya takut kalau projek pertama ini tidak menjadi dan sebab itulah bina di atas rumah.
"Alhamdulillah, setelah dua tahun saya dapat melihat hasilnya. Memang menguntungkan, namun setakat ini saya belum mengkomersialkan lagi dan hanya untuk makanan kami sekeluarga sahaja," katanya.
Ibrahim turut mempunyai bengkel membaiki motosikal yang diuruskan oleh anaknya itu berkata, pada masa ini terdapat kira-kira 2,000 ekor burung walit yang menginap di rumah burung miliknya.
Setiap hari, dia akan memainkan muzik bunyi burung dari pukul 6.30 pagi hingga 7.45 petang untuk memanggil burung-burung berkenaan.
Katanya, burung tersebut tidak akan membina sarang dengan mudah jika persekitarannya tidak sesuai dan biasanya setelah empat bulan menginap, barulah burung-burung itu akan membina sarang daripada air liurnya.
Menyedari projek penternakan itu mampu memberi pendapatan lumayan, Ibrahim kini memperuntukkan RM200,000 untuk membina sebuah lagi rumah burung dua tingkat yang lebih besar berhampiran rumahnya dan dijangka siap akhir tahun ini.
DiwariskanBapa kepada lima anak iaitu Helmi, 28; Elizam, 25; Elizan, 24; Elliza, 22; dan Mohd. Eezad, 19, berkata, hasil perkongsian hidup dengan Rosidah Dawi, 50, apa yang diusahakan akan diwariskan kepada anak-anaknya pada masa akan datang.
"Sekarang ini saya hanya dapat pungut satu kilogram (kg) sahaja sarang burung. Pada saya itu petanda baik kerana satu gram harga jualan adalah RM4.50. Mungkin pada masa depan saya mampu memungut 10 hingga 20kg sarang burung sebulan.
"Kalau ada yang berminat untuk memulakan projek ini saya sedia berkongsi pengalaman kerana ia menguntungkan. Saya harap lebih ramai orang Melayu mengusahakan penternakan ini," katanya yang turut mendapat sebuah tapak daripada Felda untuk membina sebuah rumah burung lagi.
Menurutnya, setiap satu sarang burung mampu mencecah berat kira-kira 10 gram dan ia dijual dengan harga yang tinggi kerana dipercayai baik untuk kesihatan.
Selain dibuat jeli, sarang burung juga diproses menjadi air minuman kesihatan dengan direndam bagi mengasingkan bulunya sebelum dikukus atau rebus bersama gula batu dan daun pandan."
Monday, August 10, 2009
What is 100% Pure Bird's Nest?
Dear Friends,
Do you know what is 100% Pure Bird's Nest?
Last week i was referred by Dr Yahasmidah to a company who involved in birdnest cleaning process in Sungai Buluh,Selangor. I visited and checked the process of cleaning methods; I found the process as normal as others birdnest cleaning process plants i.e they are processing genuine white bird's nests. They try hard to maintain the original shape of the nests and forgo the purity of the nests. They left many fine feathers behind the nests. Feathers were containing arsenics. It made the birdnest unpure.
I was told another major issue of the rejection was the total plate count. What is this? It means when counting the bacteria, it exceeded the limits. Why total plate coount? The process is mean for export purposes. Just to prove goods export is free from bacteria and viruses.
Procedure conducting the the is as follow: Take samples about 25 grams, together with Borang MVKJB/KAV01 and send to Veterinary Department for E coli count,Coliform count,Salmonella sp count and Staph. aureus count...Heatlth Certificate will be given upon satisfaction results.
I was told the tests failed 5 out of 5 times sampling tests. What is the issues then?
Yes, they are one of the ignorant processors who learned the technology from unqualifed masters. They were taught to remove feathers and keep the shape of nest as original as possible,so as to look nice. But what about hygenic factors? They ignored the presence of bacterias and viruses, heavy metals,contaminants...
Further to my investigations, some samples tested by Permulab Sdn Bhd shown that, the protein level dropped from 57.4% to 3.02 %. What has happened? The result shown a sharp drop of protein...why? Further investigation shown the use of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 as bleaching agents. It bleached away amino acids,good minerals, epidermic growth factors,antioxidants,etc...?? Modern Swiflet nest Processors are advised not to use any chemicals in the processing. It served no purpose.
I was told the buyers from Hong Kong ask local processors to spray about 250gram of water to 750 gram of nests justto facilitate easy packaging. But this unhygenic practices create a good environment for yeast and molds growth. If yeast and mold grown, then Boric Acids, Potasssium Sulphide,Sodium benzote,and others preservatives were used. This preservatives if consumed daily will hardened our liver and caused cancer. So, do you know why 100% purity of birdnest is important?
Conclusion for 100% Pure Bird Nest:
1. Pure heart: (always put consumers health at priority.)
2. Free from bleaching agent:(soluble amino acids, minerals... will retained)
3. Free from preservatives:(prevent cancer of liver...)
4. No additives added: (to provide pure birdnest)
5. Test for bacteria and virus counts
6. Moisture content should be less than 10%
7. Free from feathers,and other contaminants and heavy metals like mercury, lead,arsenic,chromium,ferrous(ferric),cadmium etc...
Good Luck
Do you know what is 100% Pure Bird's Nest?
Last week i was referred by Dr Yahasmidah to a company who involved in birdnest cleaning process in Sungai Buluh,Selangor. I visited and checked the process of cleaning methods; I found the process as normal as others birdnest cleaning process plants i.e they are processing genuine white bird's nests. They try hard to maintain the original shape of the nests and forgo the purity of the nests. They left many fine feathers behind the nests. Feathers were containing arsenics. It made the birdnest unpure.
I was told another major issue of the rejection was the total plate count. What is this? It means when counting the bacteria, it exceeded the limits. Why total plate coount? The process is mean for export purposes. Just to prove goods export is free from bacteria and viruses.
Procedure conducting the the is as follow: Take samples about 25 grams, together with Borang MVKJB/KAV01 and send to Veterinary Department for E coli count,Coliform count,Salmonella sp count and Staph. aureus count...Heatlth Certificate will be given upon satisfaction results.
I was told the tests failed 5 out of 5 times sampling tests. What is the issues then?
Yes, they are one of the ignorant processors who learned the technology from unqualifed masters. They were taught to remove feathers and keep the shape of nest as original as possible,so as to look nice. But what about hygenic factors? They ignored the presence of bacterias and viruses, heavy metals,contaminants...
Further to my investigations, some samples tested by Permulab Sdn Bhd shown that, the protein level dropped from 57.4% to 3.02 %. What has happened? The result shown a sharp drop of protein...why? Further investigation shown the use of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 as bleaching agents. It bleached away amino acids,good minerals, epidermic growth factors,antioxidants,etc...?? Modern Swiflet nest Processors are advised not to use any chemicals in the processing. It served no purpose.
I was told the buyers from Hong Kong ask local processors to spray about 250gram of water to 750 gram of nests justto facilitate easy packaging. But this unhygenic practices create a good environment for yeast and molds growth. If yeast and mold grown, then Boric Acids, Potasssium Sulphide,Sodium benzote,and others preservatives were used. This preservatives if consumed daily will hardened our liver and caused cancer. So, do you know why 100% purity of birdnest is important?
Conclusion for 100% Pure Bird Nest:
1. Pure heart: (always put consumers health at priority.)
2. Free from bleaching agent:(soluble amino acids, minerals... will retained)
3. Free from preservatives:(prevent cancer of liver...)
4. No additives added: (to provide pure birdnest)
5. Test for bacteria and virus counts
6. Moisture content should be less than 10%
7. Free from feathers,and other contaminants and heavy metals like mercury, lead,arsenic,chromium,ferrous(ferric),cadmium etc...
Good Luck
Friday, May 22, 2009
Latest news of Swiflet farming in Sarawak,Mukah
Dear Readers,
Again the lastest news of swiflet farming in Sarawak for your perusal.
"BERNAMA.COM
features SEARCH
Sarawak's Bird Nest Industry Still In Dilemma
By Syed Azwan Syed Ali
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Probably not many are aware that Malaysia's bird nest industry has grown to RM1 billion per annum in its value following the large scale migration of the edible nest swiftlet from Indonesia about 10 years ago.
The figure is expected to increase due to the steady demand from China where the bird nest soup is a popular delicacy especially among the well heeled segment of the society.
Malaysia is the world's third biggest producer of bird's nest after Indonesia and Thailand with an average of 12 tonnes of nests produced monthly.
The nests made by the edible-nest swiftlet (aerodramus fuciphagus) and the black-nest swiftlet (aerodramus maximus) in Malaysia is said to be of better quality.
LICENSING ISSUES RETARDING THE INDUSTRY
Nevertheless, of late there has been some concerns over the licensing problems of more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in Sarawak that could retard the industry.
In Peninsular Malaysia, swiftlet farms are allowed to be set up within shop houses and commercial lots in towns according to conditions set, but such setups are not allowed within towns in Sarawak.
This is because the Sarawak's Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 does not allow swiftlet farming within towns. At the same time, the state has no guidelines to allow swiftlet farming in towns unlike in Peninsular Malaysia.
Furthermore the Wildlife Protection Rules (Edible Bird Nests) 1998 and Wildlife Protection Rules 1998 expounds that the species can only be bred in agricultural areas in outskirts other that its original habitat like caves.
"By right, the state government should support the industry and liaise with the federal government by having a uniform guideline in swiftlet farming," said Koh Ung Leong to Bernama when met in Sibu recently.
The veterinarian said as the edible-nest swiftlet has high economic value, the industry helps to boost local real estate value and serves as a viable alternative to farmers and fishermen.
A survey conducted by Bernama found that many swiftlet farms have been set up in special structures and altered shophouses in towns along the coast line in Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu.
The state's edible-nest swiftlet merchants association earlier had sought the intervention of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to find a solution for the dilemma following strict enforcement in Mukah since last October.
THE CURRENT STATUS
Currently there is more than 1,500 swiftlet farms but only two have been licensed by the authorities. This means 99.8 percent of the swiftlet farms in the state is illegal.
"We hope the state government will prepare a guideline similar to the one in Peninsula. We will fully cooperate with the state to solve this issue," said the pro-tem chairman of the Sarikei edible-nest swiftlet merchants association, Wong Hua Ting.
On this issue, the state government has two choices whether to centralise swiftlet farming in a particular location by setting up an eco-park or adapt a specific guideline on swiftlet farming.
"It is impossible to transfer these birds. The swiftlet is not like chicken or duck to be caught and transferred. These birds have made their bird houses as the nest," said the chairman of the federation of Malaysian edible-nest swiftlet merchants association Datuk Beh Heng Seong.
At present, it is still not clear whether the swiftlets can be transferred moreover it is a species protected under the Wildlife Act 1972. As there are risks of the birds dying during transfer, especially the chicks, it is almost impossible to transfer them.
The question remains how the state government especially the Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD) and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) will handle the issue without leaving anyone in the losing end including the owners of the swiftlet farms.
THE STAND TAKEN ON THE ISSUE
The Director General of SFD who is also Chief Executive of the SFC Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the industry should be developed systematically based on the existing laws.
"Many of those seeking license are in towns which by the definition of the law they do not qualify," said Len Talif adding that the risks of epidemics like bird flu being the reason why the state government does not want to allow swiftlet farming in towns.
There were also complaints from the public on the stench from the bird droppings and the din from the speaker to entice the swiftlets to nest in the farms.
Len Talif also claimed that the setting up of swiftlet farms within towns disrupts business for some especially those in the food business or having stalls near the farms.
"There should not be guideline to setup the birdhouse in town. This contravenes the law," he said adding that the state government will build an eco-park and provide licenses for individuals keen in setting up the swiftlet farms on agricultural land in the rural areas.
BUREAUCRACY HURDLES
Many of the swiftlet farm owners see red over the bureaucracy involving the Land and Survey Department, Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA), SFC and the local government as the red tape is a serious impediment in getting a license for swiftlet farming.
Furthermore as there is no guarantee that the birds will nest in the proposed eco-park, that is why they want the state government to adopt the Veterinary Services Department's Best Practices in Animal Breeding (GAHP) for the swiftlet farming.
GAHP, which is among the conditions for licensing in Peninsula, has set certain specifications to ensure the swiftlet farms are set up in a conducive and environmentally friendly environment, which among others the noises from the speakers should not exceed 40 decibels and the speaker cone set facing the sky in a 60 degree angle to overcome noise pollution.
"We talk about "1Malaysia" which means the same law for everyone. Why then the state government does not want to accept this guideline," said a bird nest trader from Mukah, John Low.
He was referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement encouraging the people especially the Bumiputeras to venture into swiftlet farming that can boost the local economy.
The Mukah edible-nest swiftlet merchants association protem chairman, Philip Tiong, wanted the authorities to hold a dialog with swiftlet farm owners to find a solution for the dilemma and any `one way dialog' ordering them to shift out should never be the option.
CLAIMS OF MONOPOLY
Nonetheless, several swiftlet farm owners claimed that the setting up of the eco-park including in Mukah is the work of some to monopolise the industry.
This is because a kilogramme of the bird's nest can fetch RM4,000 and the figure doubles after the nests are processed for export to China, Hong Kong and Korea.
If the Mukah district can produce 100 kilogrammes of bird nest valued at RM400,000 monthly, just imagine the amount of revenue that can be generated by 40,000 swiftlet farms all over the country.
Though the allegations of monopoly is yet to be proven, the authorities should attend immediately to the current impasse that can derail the government's plan to develop the bird nest industry.
Meanwhile, head of the swiftlet unit of the Veterinary Services Department Dr Fadzilah A'ini Abdul Kadir noted that the department, which is the leading agency in monitoring the swiftlet industry, is keeping track on the developments in the industry.
Since the last three years, more than 5,000 samples of the swiftlet have been tested by the department and so far they have been free from bird flu and Newcastle disease, said Dr Fadzilah.
-- BERNAMA
We provide (subscription-based)
news coverage in our Newswire service.
"
Again the lastest news of swiflet farming in Sarawak for your perusal.
"BERNAMA.COM
features SEARCH
Sarawak's Bird Nest Industry Still In Dilemma
By Syed Azwan Syed Ali
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Probably not many are aware that Malaysia's bird nest industry has grown to RM1 billion per annum in its value following the large scale migration of the edible nest swiftlet from Indonesia about 10 years ago.
The figure is expected to increase due to the steady demand from China where the bird nest soup is a popular delicacy especially among the well heeled segment of the society.
Malaysia is the world's third biggest producer of bird's nest after Indonesia and Thailand with an average of 12 tonnes of nests produced monthly.
The nests made by the edible-nest swiftlet (aerodramus fuciphagus) and the black-nest swiftlet (aerodramus maximus) in Malaysia is said to be of better quality.
LICENSING ISSUES RETARDING THE INDUSTRY
Nevertheless, of late there has been some concerns over the licensing problems of more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in Sarawak that could retard the industry.
In Peninsular Malaysia, swiftlet farms are allowed to be set up within shop houses and commercial lots in towns according to conditions set, but such setups are not allowed within towns in Sarawak.
This is because the Sarawak's Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 does not allow swiftlet farming within towns. At the same time, the state has no guidelines to allow swiftlet farming in towns unlike in Peninsular Malaysia.
Furthermore the Wildlife Protection Rules (Edible Bird Nests) 1998 and Wildlife Protection Rules 1998 expounds that the species can only be bred in agricultural areas in outskirts other that its original habitat like caves.
"By right, the state government should support the industry and liaise with the federal government by having a uniform guideline in swiftlet farming," said Koh Ung Leong to Bernama when met in Sibu recently.
The veterinarian said as the edible-nest swiftlet has high economic value, the industry helps to boost local real estate value and serves as a viable alternative to farmers and fishermen.
A survey conducted by Bernama found that many swiftlet farms have been set up in special structures and altered shophouses in towns along the coast line in Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu.
The state's edible-nest swiftlet merchants association earlier had sought the intervention of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to find a solution for the dilemma following strict enforcement in Mukah since last October.
THE CURRENT STATUS
Currently there is more than 1,500 swiftlet farms but only two have been licensed by the authorities. This means 99.8 percent of the swiftlet farms in the state is illegal.
"We hope the state government will prepare a guideline similar to the one in Peninsula. We will fully cooperate with the state to solve this issue," said the pro-tem chairman of the Sarikei edible-nest swiftlet merchants association, Wong Hua Ting.
On this issue, the state government has two choices whether to centralise swiftlet farming in a particular location by setting up an eco-park or adapt a specific guideline on swiftlet farming.
"It is impossible to transfer these birds. The swiftlet is not like chicken or duck to be caught and transferred. These birds have made their bird houses as the nest," said the chairman of the federation of Malaysian edible-nest swiftlet merchants association Datuk Beh Heng Seong.
At present, it is still not clear whether the swiftlets can be transferred moreover it is a species protected under the Wildlife Act 1972. As there are risks of the birds dying during transfer, especially the chicks, it is almost impossible to transfer them.
The question remains how the state government especially the Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD) and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) will handle the issue without leaving anyone in the losing end including the owners of the swiftlet farms.
THE STAND TAKEN ON THE ISSUE
The Director General of SFD who is also Chief Executive of the SFC Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the industry should be developed systematically based on the existing laws.
"Many of those seeking license are in towns which by the definition of the law they do not qualify," said Len Talif adding that the risks of epidemics like bird flu being the reason why the state government does not want to allow swiftlet farming in towns.
There were also complaints from the public on the stench from the bird droppings and the din from the speaker to entice the swiftlets to nest in the farms.
Len Talif also claimed that the setting up of swiftlet farms within towns disrupts business for some especially those in the food business or having stalls near the farms.
"There should not be guideline to setup the birdhouse in town. This contravenes the law," he said adding that the state government will build an eco-park and provide licenses for individuals keen in setting up the swiftlet farms on agricultural land in the rural areas.
BUREAUCRACY HURDLES
Many of the swiftlet farm owners see red over the bureaucracy involving the Land and Survey Department, Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA), SFC and the local government as the red tape is a serious impediment in getting a license for swiftlet farming.
Furthermore as there is no guarantee that the birds will nest in the proposed eco-park, that is why they want the state government to adopt the Veterinary Services Department's Best Practices in Animal Breeding (GAHP) for the swiftlet farming.
GAHP, which is among the conditions for licensing in Peninsula, has set certain specifications to ensure the swiftlet farms are set up in a conducive and environmentally friendly environment, which among others the noises from the speakers should not exceed 40 decibels and the speaker cone set facing the sky in a 60 degree angle to overcome noise pollution.
"We talk about "1Malaysia" which means the same law for everyone. Why then the state government does not want to accept this guideline," said a bird nest trader from Mukah, John Low.
He was referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement encouraging the people especially the Bumiputeras to venture into swiftlet farming that can boost the local economy.
The Mukah edible-nest swiftlet merchants association protem chairman, Philip Tiong, wanted the authorities to hold a dialog with swiftlet farm owners to find a solution for the dilemma and any `one way dialog' ordering them to shift out should never be the option.
CLAIMS OF MONOPOLY
Nonetheless, several swiftlet farm owners claimed that the setting up of the eco-park including in Mukah is the work of some to monopolise the industry.
This is because a kilogramme of the bird's nest can fetch RM4,000 and the figure doubles after the nests are processed for export to China, Hong Kong and Korea.
If the Mukah district can produce 100 kilogrammes of bird nest valued at RM400,000 monthly, just imagine the amount of revenue that can be generated by 40,000 swiftlet farms all over the country.
Though the allegations of monopoly is yet to be proven, the authorities should attend immediately to the current impasse that can derail the government's plan to develop the bird nest industry.
Meanwhile, head of the swiftlet unit of the Veterinary Services Department Dr Fadzilah A'ini Abdul Kadir noted that the department, which is the leading agency in monitoring the swiftlet industry, is keeping track on the developments in the industry.
Since the last three years, more than 5,000 samples of the swiftlet have been tested by the department and so far they have been free from bird flu and Newcastle disease, said Dr Fadzilah.
-- BERNAMA
We provide (subscription-based)
news coverage in our Newswire service.
"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
