SIBU: The Sarawak government is committed to assisting livestock farmers who were affected by the avian flu and African swine fever (ASF) last year recover and restart their business activities.
The Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the state was able to develop its commodities into commercialisation up until the virus struck and affected the effort.
“In the production of products such as chicken and eggs, we are above our expectations, more than 100 per cent (the state’s self-sufficiency level). So, that means we can export this product. However, sometimes, because of the ASF, it wipes out all the pig farming areas except for a few.
“Now we are about to restart. Once we restart, I think we will recover from what we have lost,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the Sibu Livestock Farmers Association (SLFA) 51-anniversary and New Committee Installation Ceremony here last night (July 8).
Earlier, SLFA chairman Ling Chi Kiong said in his speech that the avian flu and ASF are the most perilous, with severe consequences.
“Everyone can still remember that in March 2022, a sudden and severe ASF caught the industry by surprise. Following the outbreak of the plague, 95 per cent of the pigs had to be culled under the purview of the relevant authorities for food safety,” he said.
Ling said that the plague was kept at bay but with severe repercussions, leaving many pig farmers in this association in dire straits without insurance claims and relevant governmental support.
“This is pathetic as many members could not see the light at the end of the tunnel to restart their businesses, and some are closing shops,” he said.
Also present were Federation of Livestock Farmers Association Malaysia president Tan Chee Hee, Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming, and organising chairman Ngu Dieng Hung.
