PIG-FARMS IN PUNGGOL/JALAN KAYU (Pollution control)

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology whether and what steps have been taken to assess the extent of environmental pollution caused by the heavy concentration of pig-farms in the Punggol/Jalan Kayu area: and if he will assure the House that all possible precautionary steps have already been taken to minimise any adverse effects.

The Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1974 Government decided to shift pig-rearing in the Kranji/Pandan water catchment areas to Punggol/Jalan Kayu, a non-water catchment area zoned for agriculture. The Senior Minister of State for National Development informed the House in May 1977 that farms which can be managed efficiently with modern husbandry practices and improved sanitation are being resettled in the Punggol/Jalan Kayu area.

These farmers are required to provide proper waste treatment facilities like cesspits and slatted floors for their pig pens. If the cesspits are maintained and desludged regularly, there should be no public nuisance or health nuisance from the overflowing of pig waste. Unfortunately, Sir, this has not been done by most of the farmers, probably to reduce the cost of their operations. It may be necessary to require these farmers to desludge their cesspits regularly, perhaps at least once a month. Otherwise the Ministry of the Environment will have to do the desludging and charge the cost to the farmers.

The Ministry is also implementing a drainage improvement scheme in the area to cater for the proper drainage of the farmlands. The widening and deepening of Sungei Tongkang Pechah is in progress at an estimated cost of $1 million. The improvements of the other earth drains, including drains serving the farmlands, will be carried out as soon as funds are approved.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu): A supplementary question, Sir. In order that the size of the problem can be better appreciated by the House, can the Hon. Minister please indicate the number of farms, pigs and cesspits involved?

Mr Barker: Sir, there are approximately 280 pig farms, 170,000 pigs and about 280 cesspits. The Member may be interested to know that it will cost $1/2 million to desludge the cesspits once a month.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin: Sir, in May 1977 when the Senior Minister of State for National Development informed the House of the development of pig farms, I believe he did indicate that there would be provision of buffer zones in order to reduce pollution. Would the Hon. Minister please inform the House what steps have been taken to develop such buffer zones?

Mr Barker: Sir, frankly, I do not know. But like Kublai Khan, who believed that those who plant trees live long, I am sure the Minister of State for National Development will do his best to provide and plant trees in the buffer zone between the housing estate and the pig farms.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin: Sir, I think it is a case of buck-passing. Would the two Ministers please get together quickly?

Mr Barker: We certainly will.