PHASING OUT OF PIG FARMING INDUSTRY

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry, in view of the present economic recession, will give due consideration to temporarily halting the complete phasing out of the pig farming industry as this will result in throwing out of business the businesses that service the pig farming industry.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Pig farming has to be phased out in Singapore because of its serious environmental pollution. The phasing out programme is being carried out in stages to ensure that there is no disruption to the supply of pigs and violent fluctuation in prices, and to allow adequate time for adjustment by industries that service the pig farming industry. There is no necessity to temporarily halt the phasing out programme.

Agri-businesses such as feedmills that service the pig farming industry also serve other agricultural, fisheries and livestock industries. They can adjust to the phasing out of pig farms by providing more services to these other agricultural industries. Many of them are also exporting their products to the surrounding countries. This is in line with our plan to develop Singapore into a regional agro-business centre. We can supply agro-technology equipment, animal and fish feeds, pharmaceuticals, biologics and other agricultural services, including consultancy services, to other countries in the region.