{
  "id": 4305375,
  "title": "'This is all we know': Farmer fears 40-year-old poultry business may end",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/this-is-all-we-know-farmer-fears-40-year-old-poultry-business-may-end",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-29T23:40:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1521547/all-we-know-farmer-fears-40-year-old-poultry-business-may-end"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Desmond, a farmer who inherited two poultry farms from his father, faces a potential end to a family business dating back 40 years. Earlier this year, the farms in Kuala Langat, housing around 200,000 birds, were shut down due to fly infestation complaints from local residents. Authorities instructed the farms to clean up the area, after which they were allowed to reopen after inspection.\n\nDesmond acknowledges that flies are a nuisance but finds them challenging to control, as they are drawn to chicken farms, move between farms, and reproduce rapidly. He notes that flies have always been present, but the expansion of residential areas has exacerbated the issue. Desmond explains that managing flies at poultry farms, particularly open farms like his, is possible through traps, pesticides, and proper sanitation, albeit a time-consuming process.\n\nThe Veterinary Services Department provided guidance, but the results are not immediate. The bigger concern, according to Desmond, is a deadline set by local authorities for him to convert his open farms to closed-house systems. Recently, when they met the authorities, they were informed that a license for an open farm would not be granted in two and a half years. The cost of raising a bird in a closed-house system is around RM60, amounting to approximately RM12 million, excluding land costs.\n\nDesmond emphasizes that he and his family are cooperating with authorities when complaints arise, but they plead for more time and flexibility. He points out that taking multi-million-ringgit risks might not be feasible for many poultry farmers. He suggests that the authorities should provide farms more room and make closed-house requirements mandatory for new applicants.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Desmond is facing a dilemma over the two poultry farms he inherited from his father, one that could bring an end to the 40-year-old family business.",
  "key_points": [
    "Desmond inherits 40-year-old poultry farms in Kuala Langat.",
    "Fly infestation complaints led to farm shutdown and cleanup.",
    "Authorities demand conversion to closed-house systems within 2.5 years."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The looming deadline to convert to closed-house systems threatens the viability of Desmond's 40-year-old family business, as the high costs may force him to abandon his open farms.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}