New regulations for pig farm owners to curb JE

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry is introducing tighter regulations for pig farm owners to prevent the spread of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) among human beings.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said the new regulations, to be announced soon, were aimed at protecting the people with high risk of being infected with the JE virus, especially those staying near pig farms.

"We want pig farms to have a buffer zone which is safe, like the distance between the pig farm and the residents' settlement area has to be for a certain kilometres," he told reporters after presenting tithe and breaking of fast with residents of Felda Rentam here Saturday.

Ismail Sabri said pig farm owners would also be required to ensure their farms had access to proper sewage system.

On the reported rearing of patin fish at a farm in Jalan Ipoh-Batu Gajah, near Papan, with the fish said to be fed with pig carcasses, he said the ministry waiting for a report on the matter from the Perak Fisheries Department.

He said action would be taken against the farm owner if there was any truth in the report.