FEEDSTUFFS BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

4.04 p.m.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The purpose of this Bill is to control the quality of feeding stuffs for animals and birds. Not many years ago when our livestock industry was in its infancy, farmers merely fed their livestock with whatever feeding materials they could lay their hands on and mixing and cooking them in the farmyard. Such methods of feeding were without regard to the nutritional value of the feeding stuffs, and the farmers did not have the benefit of scientific techniques of controlled feeding to determine the growth rate and the quality of the meat produced. But in order to achieve more efficient production, it is necessary to ensure that better animal feed rations are prepared on a scientific basis so that the optimum conversion from food to meat can be attained. Our farmers have realized this and have gone a long way in the utilization of specially prepared animal feedstuffs. A number of our enterprising citizens have set up factories to produce well balanced animal feed rations on a scientific basis for sale to our farmers. The manufacture and supply of feeding stuffs to our farmers is a flourishing business employing many people. It is estimated that the amount of animal feeds that are consumed in Singapore is well over $100 million annually. The time has now come for some form of Government control to be exercised over the quality of feedstuffs.

Without any system of control there is bound to be, in such a thriving industry, unscrupulous persons who produce animal feeds which are well below the declared standards, or, what is worse, which may contain harmful materials that may cause illness and disease to the animals and birds. There is the possibility that properly compounded animal feeds may be adulterated during the process of storage, handling, and transport by distributors or agents before these feeds are sold to the farmers. There have been instances where feed-millers as a result of ignorance included materials in the manufactured feeds which have caused bad effects on livestock.

It is therefore desirable that a system of control should at this stage be introduced by the Government on the manufacture of feeding stuffs in order to protect the farmer from frauds and to guarantee him the availability of good quality products. It is also necessary to protect feedstuff producers and distributors against any unscrupulous practices which may upset the normal conditions of competition. Control of the quality of the feedstuffs will give the farmer the right to know the precise quantity, the nature of the ingredients and the type of feeding stuffs suitable for particular types of livestock.

The implementation of this Bill will ensure proper standards of quality to be prescribed for animal feeds. Stockfeed manufacturers will then be able to expand their sales by exporting to overseas markets with the support of official documents provided by the Singapore Government to certify the standards of their products.

The Government has set up an Animal Nutritional Unit to investigate into the utilisation of locally available animal feeding materials and to formulate balanced rations for livestock. The results will be published from time to time for the benefit of farmers and stockfeed manufacturers.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

4.10 p.m.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Government for introducing the Feedstuffs Bill.

The Government can be sure that such a move wins the all-round support of the farmer population in Singapore, and this goes to show that the Government has the interests of the farmers at heart. Mr Speaker, Sir, as the Minister for National Development has pointed out, the purpose of this Bill is to control the manufacture of feedstuffs which are locally manufactured to ensure that, when consumed by poultry or animals, they will not bring ill-consequences to them.

Mr Speaker, Sir, some time ago, when the price of animal feeds and feed concentrates for the manufacture of feedstuffs shot up for obvious reasons, some feedstuffs manufacturers attempted to increase the price of such feeds. This attempt was vigorously resisted by the farmers. Some farmer representatives from my constituency met me and pointed out that if the proposed price increase was to be instituted, many of them, if not all, would go bankrupt. They alleged that they were already suffering from the decrease in egg price on the market. The slump had brought about a sharp decrease in the local egg price. Many farmers alleged that some of our feedstuff manufacturers produced a poorer quality of feedstuffs when the proposed price increase in feedstuffs was postponed. Consequently many poultry died, and also the eggs that were specially selected for hatching purposes did not hatch. They had to be pushed on to the market. Mr Speaker, Sir, on this point, I seek the privilege of this Chamber. With the sharp increase in local egg production, plus the unhatched eggs on the market, the local egg price has decreased sharply, thereby threatening the livelihood of many farmers. Fortunately, steps have been taken by the Government Departments concerned to remedy this serious situation, and I can proudly say that it has been remedied to a certain extent.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sure that with the subsequent legislation of the Feedstuffs Bill, the farmer population of Singapore can be sure of being provided with feedstuffs of a suitable quality for their poultry as a whole and they can have no fear of their poultry perishing due to poor quality feedstuffs. Without proper control over the manufacture of feedstuffs, they may be driven to financial difficulties if the feedstuffs manufactured are of poorer quality. Therefore, to sum up, I say that this Bill is going to benefit each and every farmer in Singapore.

4.12 p.m.

Mr Tan Cheng Tong (Jalan Kayu): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, as this Feedstuffs Bill affects the livelihood of the farmers - and I am quite conversant with their conditions - I would like to say a few words on this Bill.

According to the Minister and the Backbencher who spoke just now, it seems as if this Bill can resolve all the problems confronting the farmers and can look after the interests of the farmers. But in my view, the passage of this Bill perhaps may lead to a situation where the farmers will be burdened with more problems. In actual fact, the provisions of the Bill do not clearly provide anything to safeguard the interests of the farmers. I would like to give my views on these two points. I hope my views will help the Government to implement something that will not contribute anything adverse to the farmers. From my point of view, the P.A.P. Government has not done anything good for the farmers of Singapore. For instance, if this Bill were passed, I hope that the situation in future can be somewhat better if feedstuff manufacturers have to get licences for their business and if there are brands and labels for their products. This process can be carried out through the Primary Production Department. In this respect, perhaps the Department concerned may or may not cause delay or any inconvenience to the farmers concerned. If there is any inconvenience, then the farmers will have to incur more expenses. I hope that the passage of this Bill will remove all anomalies that have existed in the past. For instance, the Bill provides that there should be certain components to make up the feedstuffs. But if the Bill provides also for the percentage of the components of the feedstuffs and the ingredients to be of a stipulated quality and quantity, then this will be to the good. And there should also be provisions as to the labelling of such products. Now, the manufacturers concerned, I think, are well prepared. They are well aware of the situation. For instance, a few months ago the farmers of Singapore and those in the business of hatching chickens suffered greatly because of certain inferior feedstuffs These were adulterated with cotton seeds, thus leading to the deterioration of the condition of the chickens. Although there is a high protein content in cotton seeds, there are poisonous ingredients. So, as a result, when chickens feed on this, the eggs would not hatch, and the egg content ---

Mr Lim Kim San: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker: The point of order being?

Mr Lim Kim San: He is not talking on the principle of the Bill. He is telling us of what he knows.

Mr Speaker: I think the Member is, in fact, supporting the Bill. I think he is trying to make the point that this Bill must be passed!

Mr Tan Cheng Tong: (In Mandarin): Please press the button. Will the Member please press the button?

Mr Speaker: Order. If the Member has any point to make, he must make it to the Chair.

Mr Tan Cheng Tong: (In Mandarin): What I wish to say is that the Bill will not give any complaint to the farmers. As far as I know, cotton seeds are still being incorporated into the feedstuffs by some of the present manufacturers. So the adverse effect is still there. It is an open secret, because it is quite a good business.

I would like to ask the Minister to provide in the Bill a formula of the components of the ingredients of the feedstuffs and a scientific table, and so on, in order to help. If the Government can tabulate all these and give the feedstuff manufacturers a certain standard to abide by, stipulating the percentages of components and ingredients in regard to the manufacture of feedstuffs, then it will eradicate the malpractices. This is also good for the chickens, because the protein content will also be maintained. If the Government is not able to do that, and there are any losses and harm done, it is only the farmers who will suffer. And if the inspectors of the department concerned are lax in their duty in investigating the situation, then the farmers will also suffer. So I hope the Minister will look well into this. Do not think that by just enumerating a few clauses in the Bill, he can resolve all the problems and help the farmers. That is my view and I hope the Minister will look well into it.

Mr Speaker: Mr Minister, in reply?

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Member for teaching me how to carry on my work. I think, on the whole, he agrees that this legislation is to improve the feeding stuffs that are manufactured in Singapore, and that it is for the benefit of the farmers, though, as usual, he always starts with the proposition that the P.A.P. has done ---

Mr Speaker: I believe "he" is the Member for Jalan Kayu?

Mr Lim Kim San: The hon. Member for Jalan Kayu, Mr Speaker. He starts with the proposition that the P.A.P. has done nothing for the farmers during the last five years. Since he says he is in close touch with the farmers, he should know that during these five years we have not only been breeding chickens for our own table, but we have also been breeding enough chickens for ex port. At the same time, he must know by now that we have enough stud boars of good quality to give us better quality pork.

I think, Mr Speaker, Sir, in general, he supports the principle that this Bill should be pushed through, and I have no other comments to make.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Assembly.

Assembly immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Lim Kim San]

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

4.28 p.m.

The Chairman: Mr Minister, what I have said with regard to the previous Bill really should be said in this instance. As I have indicated previously, I have studied these amendments. They do not seem materially to affect the Bill one way or the other. They seem to be purely drafting amendments and, as such, subject to what you have to say, I will allow them, considering Article 79 of the Constitution. Do you confirm my views?

Mr Lim Kim San: Yes.

Clause 1 -

Mr Lim Kim San: I beg to move,

In page 1, line 4, to leave out "Feedstuffs" and insert "Feeding Stuffs".

This amendment will give clarity to the definition of "animal feed".

The Chairman: It is really a drafting amendment, is it not?

Mr Lim Kim San: Yes.

Amendment agreed to.

The Chairman: In page 1, line 5, the figure "1964" will be altered to read "1965" as a matter of course.

Clause 1, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 2 -

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

In page 1, line 10, to leave out "as animal feed" and insert "for the feeding of animals".

Similarly, Mr Speaker, Sir, this amendment will give clarity to the definition of "animal feed".

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill

Clause 4 -

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

(i) In page 2, line 28, to leave out "animal", and

(ii) In page 2, line 37, to leave out "animal"

The word "animal" here, Mr Speaker, is redundant since "simple feed" is already defined in the Bill.

Amendments agreed to.

Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 5 to 7 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 8 -

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker. Sir, I beg to move,

In page 3, line 21, to leave out "food" and insert "feed".

This is to correct a typographical error. And also:

In page 3, line 25 -

The Chairman: Perhaps I had better deal with that amendment first, Mr Minister.

Amendment agreed to.

4.30 p.m.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

In page 3, line 25, to leave out "The Director" and insert "A veterinary authority".

The substitution of "veterinary authority" for "Director" is in conformity with the provisions of sub-clause (1) of this clause and is considered to be more appropriate.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker. I beg to move,

In page 3, lines 29 and 30, to lease out "storage compartments, animal feeds and to take samples thereof" and insert -

(i) storage compartments; and

(ii) animal feeds and to take samples thereof".

The Chairman: Does the Minister wish to make any statement on that?

Mr Lim Kim San: No.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 8, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 9 and 10 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported with amendments: read a Third time and passed.