February 2, 2005

Russian inspectors to visit chicken plants in Thailand

Russian quality inspectors will visit eight Thai chicken abattoirs and processing plants during their visit to Thailand this week in deciding on whether Russia should begin importing Thai chicken products, according to a statement from Thailand's Ministry of Industry.

The inspection, which comes at a time when Thailand is trying to beat the latest outbreak of avian flu, follows counter trade negotiations between the two countries, under which Thailand would use fresh and frozen chickens in part payment for Russian military equipment.

The veterinary inspectors, whose visit was put by Moscow as a requirement for considering Thailand's counter trade bid, will remain in Thailand until 7 February.

Although Thailand originally suggested visits to 24 abattoirs and 52 processing plants, the Russian team indicated that the current visit would be a preliminary one, following a later visit by a second team which would determine if quality conditions had been met.