PUTRAJAYA: After four days of Utusan Malaysia's exposure regarding severe sea pollution in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor believed to be caused by sewage from pig farms, the Veterinary Services Department (JPV) conducted an initial survey and carried out further and comprehensive inspections by taking water samples in the area.Informing the matter to Utusan Malaysia, JPV said that the inspection was carried out twice, last Monday and yesterday with the participation of the Selangor Water Management Board (LUAS) team under the Selangor Water Management Board Enactment 1999 (Amendment 2020) and the Regulations for Entry or Release of Substances Pollutants (Selangor State) 2012.JPV said, based on its actions on livestock farms in the area for the period from 2020 to this year, a total of 93 warning letters were issued to farmers who were found to be draining water outside their farms in excess of the set Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) level of 50 ppm and up to down.To date, he explained, only four farms have failed to comply with the conditions and follow-up actions are being taken in accordance with existing laws.Based on the latest JPV records, there are 118 farms in the south of Kuala Langat, from Tanjung Layang to Tanjung Sepat, which keep 227,840 pigs.As an example of a solution, JPV views the Modern Pig Farming Project which emphasizes the closed shed system and zero sewage should be continued to solve this issue."(For the record) from 2019 until now, six people have been charged in court for the offence, including a lorry that was stripped of rights involved in this activity."The penalty for an offense under the Animal (Slaughter Control) Rules 2009 is a maximum fine of RM10,000 and the court can order animal carcasses, equipment, vehicles and other items to be confiscated for this offense disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Section 68 of the Animal Act 1953 or forfeited according to Section 74 of the Animals Act 1953," he said here yesterday.A special report by Utusan Malaysia on 15 September revealed the suffering of about 7,000 Tanjung Sepat residents facing the problem of pollution believed to be sewage from pig farms in the area for the past 30 years.In addition to the foul smell, the water in the ditches and creeks around the area is pitch black and flows into the sea which is about 30 meters away.A survey around Kampung Ladang Tumbuk found that the location of the pig pen is only 50 to 200 meters away from the settlement of the population involving the borders of Kuala Langat, Teluk Bunut and Tanjung Sepat, here.Following the disclosure, JPV conducted a preliminary survey and found no evidence of sewage from livestock farms being discharged untreated into public drains and the sea.The JPV also did not find any location that became a place for illegal pig slaughter including items commonly used for such activities based on actions under the legal authority of the Animal Act 1953 (Revised 2013) which focuses on the control of animal diseases and the Pig Breeding Control Enactment 1991."JPV believes that cooperation from various departments and agencies should be implemented to overcome the issue involving pig farming in the south of Kuala Langat because it involves a large area, the number of farms and a high livestock population."At the same time, JPV guarantees that enforcement actions will be implemented if there are any complaints and incidents of illegal pig slaughtering, including the act of transferring or selling pigs from the slaughtering activity," he said.JPV always takes action if it detects any outbreak of swine disease and non-compliance in terms of pig husbandry including causing pollution and disturbance.JPV will also always be ready to receive complaints from the public to continue the investigation in more detail if there are any issues or complaints regarding this matter.– MESSENGERCopyright reserved © 2022, Utusan Malaysia Another product of Media Mulia Sdn.Bhd.