SELETAR FARMWAYS (Resettlement of pig farmers)

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there is any plan to resettle pig farmers in Seletar Farmways in the Lim Chu Kang area; (b) if so, when this is expected to take place; and (c) whether he will give an assurance that, if resettlement for any important reason becomes necessary, enhanced rate of compensation will be paid especially to those who have already been inconvenienced once before and that every endeavour will be made to minimise hardship and disruption in the production.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, there have been complaints of intermittent malodour against the pig farms in the Seletar Farmway area from residents in the nearby residential estate at Seletar. Owing to their proximity to residential estates, these farms will have to be phased out. However, they will not be required to do so immediately.

The programme for phasing out is being worked out, taking into account the development of Lim Chu Kang as an intensive pig farming area and clearance of other pig farms in the catchment areas. Every endeavour will be made to minimise hardship and disruption. Under the new resettlement policy, enhanced rates of compensation will be paid to these farmers.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Hon. Minister seems to give the impression that there has been an oversight in converting the Seletar Farmways into a pig farm area, and therefore the farmers will now have to be resettled again. I am just wondering whether the same mistake will be made in the case of Lim Chu Kang, when in due course the farmers there will again have to be resettled.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, Lim Chu Kang has been chosen as a pig farming area because it is far away from any residential estate, Moreover, owing to its remote location, it does not lend itself favourably to development as a residential estate.