KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — The federal government is conducting a comprehensive study on Malaysia’s pig farming industry to review policies and strengthen the sector’s long-term sustainability, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security said.
In written Dewan Negara replies on March 2, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said the study will assess the industry’s overall value chain, including legal, technical, economic, and social aspects, as a basis for improving policy and implementation mechanisms.
“The findings of this study will serve as the basis for improving policies and implementation mechanisms in a more comprehensive manner, to ensure that the development of this industry can be carried out in a planned and responsible way, in line with the aspiration of preserving harmony within local communities,” Mohamad said.
He was responding to Senator Low Kian Chuan, who asked about the government’s plans to collaborate with the Selangor state government to develop a modern, centralised, and environmentally sustainable pig farming system to ensure sufficient domestic pork supply for the Klang Valley, thereby reducing reliance on imports.
Malaysia’s self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for pork plummeted from 84.6 per cent in 2022 to 69.6 per cent in 2023 due to persistent ASF outbreaks. The SSR stood at 67.8 per cent in 2024, representing the lowest level in recent years.
Mohamad said the development of a modern, centralised, and environmentally sustainable pig farming system requires close coordination between the federal and state governments.
This is because state governments have regulatory authority over livestock activities, including land use, zoning, and licensing, which are implemented through state-level agencies and local authorities.
Mohamad also acknowledged that pig farming remains a socially sensitive issue, requiring careful planning. “The government is very aware of and concerned about the sensitivities of local communities regarding pig farming issues,” Mohamad said.
“All planning and implementation related to pig farming will be carefully considered, taking into account environmental sustainability, the well-being of local communities, public health, and social harmony.”
To support the long-term sustainability of the industry, the ministry said several initiatives are being implemented, including modernising pig farms through closed-house systems, improving waste management, and ensuring compliance with environmental requirements.
The government is also encouraging the development of designated Pig Farming Areas (PFA) and Modern Pig Farming (MPF) systems to strengthen disease control and improve productivity and meat quality.
Mohamad said strategic cooperation between the federal and state governments is being strengthened to facilitate gazetting pig farming zones, licensing operations, and ensuring compliance with operational conditions.
He said issues surrounding the recognition of pig farm operating sites must be considered within the framework of state regulations and local development planning.
“The regulation of the pig farming industry is subject to legal provisions and the jurisdiction of state governments, particularly in matters related to land use, zoning, and licensing,” Mohamad said in a separate written response to Senator Leong Ngah Ngah.
The policy review comes amid debate over pig farming in Selangor. In February, Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah called for a complete statewide ban on pig farming, citing concerns about odour pollution, wastewater discharge, and risks to water catchment areas supplying the Klang Valley.
The Selangor government subsequently moved to stop issuing pig farming licences and gradually close existing farms, opting instead to rely on pork imports to meet local demand, a move that has also been supported by pork importers who argue imports are more cost-effective than building modern large-scale pig farms.
The federal government said it remains committed to ensuring the pig farming industry operates legally, responsibly, and sustainably, in line with food security goals while balancing environmental protection, public health, and community well-being.
