Food & agriculture

• Ms. Yeo Wan Ling inquired about the yearly registration numbers of home-based food companies since the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety measures in place for these businesses.
• The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, stated that the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) does not track the number of home-based food businesses as they are not required to be licensed.
• Home-based food businesses must adhere to existing food safety regulations, and the SFA will enforce actions against those selling unsafe food.
• The Singapore Civil Defence Force does not impose additional fire safety requirements for home-based food businesses beyond standard residential regulations.

• The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment collaborates with the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation (SAFEF) to aggregate, brand, and market local produce, facilitating long-term contracts between farmers and retailers.
• Local produce, such as leafy vegetables and seafood, is marketed under brands like “SG Farmers' Market” and “The Straits Fish,” with significant sales increases reported since their launch.
• The collaboration has led to partnerships with various food businesses to incorporate local produce into their menus, enhancing consumer awareness and demand.
• Public response to these initiatives has been positive, with plans to expand the range of local produce available in retail and dining establishments.
• The Singapore Food Agency aims to continue driving demand for local produce to support food security and the growth of local farms.

Cai Yinzhou raised questions about the closure of 24.5% of sea-based fish farms in 2024, specifically regarding the number of farms that received government grants, the total value of those grants, and measures to reduce future closures. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that six of the 26 closed farms received nearly $700,000 in grants to enhance productivity, all meeting grant conditions. The Singapore Food Agency is working with farms to improve commercial viability through initiatives like biosecurity strengthening and technology adoption. Despite a decrease in the number of farms, overall sector productivity increased from 38.6 tonnes per hectare in 2023 to 40.7 tonnes per hectare in 2024.

Ng Shi Xuan asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about lessons learned from the Hawker Centres Transformation Programme (HTP) for the upcoming Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme 2.0 (HUP 2.0), eligibility criteria for hawker centres, and the inclusion of Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres. Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that insights from the HTP, which improved infrastructure and hygiene at selected centres, will inform HUP 2.0, focusing on upgrading older hawker centres for better accessibility and climate resilience. Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres, built since 2015 with newer infrastructure, will not require extensive upgrades but will continue receiving regular repairs and redecorations.

Cai Yinzhou asked about the local sea-based fish farm sector, specifically concerning the average age of farmers and the proportion of locals in the workforce, as well as strategies for attracting local farmers and mitigating environmental risks. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that there are approximately 400 workers in the sector, with about half being locals, but there is no data on the average age of farmers. The Singapore Food Agency collaborates with educational institutions to create training programs for local talent, including a new Specialist Diploma in Aquaculture Management and Technology launched in April 2024. Additionally, efforts are made to support farms in improving productivity and resilience, alongside enhancing biosecurity measures.

Valerie Lee asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about how the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) determines fish production quotas for offshore fish farms and if measures can be introduced to assist struggling kelongs. Grace Fu highlighted that Singapore's limited land and sea space necessitates productive and sustainable farming practices, with SFA requiring fish farms, including kelongs, to meet production targets. Despite kelongs historically facing declining fish catches since the 1960s, SFA supports farmers in increasing productivity through technology adoption and biosecurity measures. SFA also engages regularly with fish farms to understand and address their needs.

David Hoe questioned the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about Singapore's progress towards the "30 by 30" food sustainability goal and whether contingency plans are in place due to supply-side issues. Grace Fu Hai Yien acknowledged that currently less than 10% of food is produced locally and that the "30 by 30" goal, developed pre-COVID-19, has faced increased challenges, including difficulties in the alternative protein sector. She highlighted some successes in local production, particularly with hen eggs and beansprouts, and outlined initiatives to enhance food production capabilities, including new technology adoption and support programs. Fu assured that the Singapore Food Agency is reviewing local production strategies to improve resilience and will provide updates on progress and future plans.

Ng Shi Xuan queried the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about the annual number of food poisoning cases linked to home-based food businesses over the past five years and the actions taken in such cases. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the Singapore Food Agency investigated an average of one suspected food poisoning case per year related to these businesses, but no causative link was found between the food sold and the incidents.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the definition of "local fish produce" and the minimum grow-out period required by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that local fish produce is defined as fish grown from fry or fingerlings by licensed local farms and that SFA does not specify or track a minimum grow-out period. Additionally, she mentioned that SFA conducts periodic checks on farms to monitor the local production data declared by them.

Ng Shi Xuan asked about the status of a review regarding mandatory training and certification for home-based food business owners under the Workforce Skills Qualification Food Safety Course. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the Singapore Food Agency takes a risk-based approach and has determined that the food safety risks from home-based businesses are currently low, so certification is not required, though owners are encouraged to undergo training. The SFA conducts regular reviews to ensure food safety regulations are effective.

Foo Cexiang raised concerns about whether operators of Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres should require hawkers to absorb customer discounts provided through operator apps. Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the principles guiding the responsibility for providing affordable meals to low-income patrons and whether the distribution of this responsibility between various stakeholders would be reviewed. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary explained that NEA oversees SEHC management, ensuring balance between patron needs and stallholder well-being, and clarified that operators have flexibility in their agreements with stallholders while adhering to NEA guidelines. NEA also emphasized the importance of value meals being affordable and not causing losses for hawkers, highlighting that stakeholders share responsibility in the provision and management of these meals. Lastly, there were discussions about the need for transparency in contractual terms and the role of feedback from stallholders in improving SEHC operations.

Liang Eng Hwa asked about the progress and potential improvements to the NEA's Incubation Stall Programme. Grace Fu reported that 99 stalls have been allocated, with 37 aspiring hawkers successfully transitioning to full-fledged businesses. The program offers reduced stall rentals for 15 months to help these hawkers establish viability. NEA regularly reviews the program, having previously extended rental discounts based on participant feedback, and will continue to monitor it to ensure relevance to the hawker trade.

• The National Environment Agency (NEA) has detected ongoing issues with hawker stall subletting, issuing around 230 termination notices since 2012 for non-compliance with personal operation requirements.
• In 2024, NEA issued over 230 Letters of Warning and more than 30 termination notices specifically for stalls not operated by their assigned hawkers.
• The Hawker Succession Scheme (HSS), introduced in January 2022, aims to facilitate the transfer of hawker stalls and skills from retiring hawkers to their family members or aspiring successors, rather than directly addressing subletting issues.
• To date, six veteran hawkers have successfully transferred their stalls through the HSS, with four more in progress and two additional hawkers being assisted in finding successors.

• Ms. He Ting Ru inquired about the NEA's stance on allowing social enterprise hawker centre operators to mandate hawkers to provide free meals as part of their contracts.
• She also asked if the NEA would offer guidance on the appropriateness of such contractual practices in the future.
• Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the question would be addressed in a future parliamentary session on 24 September 2025, along with similar inquiries for a comprehensive response.

• Leong Mun Wai questioned the Minister about the operation of multiple hawker stalls by private companies or eatery chains across different hawker centres.
• He inquired whether the existing policy requiring hawkers to personally operate their stalls applies to these companies or chains.
• Grace Fu referred to a previous oral reply from March 2025 regarding the personal operation requirement for hawker stalls.

• The requirement for hawker stallholders to personally operate their stalls is aimed at preventing subletting and ensuring that stalls are run by those who genuinely intend to operate them, thus maintaining affordable food options for Singaporeans.
• The National Environment Agency (NEA) allows some flexibility for stallholders who are temporarily unable to operate their stalls due to valid reasons, such as medical issues, by permitting them to appoint a joint operator or nominee.
• Concerns were raised about whether the personal operation requirement discourages genuine hawkers, especially those looking to expand their businesses, and whether NEA could provide more flexibility regarding the hours stallholders must be present.
• NEA emphasizes the importance of maintaining hawker culture and preventing corporate dominance in hawker centres, which are seen as community spaces rather than purely commercial ventures.
• The debate highlighted the balance between supporting hawker entrepreneurship and preserving the authenticity and cultural significance of hawker centres, with NEA asserting that rules are necessary to protect these values.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about lessons learned from a recent food poisoning incident involving Ready-to-Eat meals distributed during Total Defence Day and proposed measures to promote food safety practices. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the question was addressed in a previous parliamentary sitting on 4 March 2025, which covered the causes of the food poisoning incident and details on product testing related to food resilience.