February 27, 2004

Thai Minister: Results Of Japan's Checks On Chicken Factories Due Saturday

Japan will announce Saturday the results of Japan's checks on chicken processing factories in Thailand and the list of factories that meet Japan's hygiene standards, so that they may resume exports of cooked chickens to Japan, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Somkid Jatusripitak, told reporters Friday.
 
Japan, the largest importer of Thai chicken and chicken products, banned chicken imports from Thailand on bird flu fears. The bird flu virus was confirmed in Thailand Jan. 23 and has killed seven people in the country and forced Thai authorities to cull around 30 million birds.
 
Japan said it will resume imports of heat-treated chicken products from Thailand if Thai processing plants meet Japanese hygiene standards.
 
Somkid said Japanese officials have inspected 15 chicken processing factories in Thailand and are likely to complete checking all 25 factories in the country in two or three days.
 
"The inspection results of those 15 factories will be announced tomorrow before the inspection of all factories is completed. (Japan) seemed to be rather satisfied with the results of the inspections so far," Somkid said.
 
The factories that fail to meet Japan's hygiene standards will have to improve their facilities to meet Japan's requirements before exports can resume, Somkid added.
 
Somkid said he expects cooked Thai chicken exports to Japan will return to normal soon. He also expects exports of frozen and chilled chickens to resume after Thailand is cleared of the bird flu virus.
 
Japan and other importing countries, including the EU, which is the second largest buyer of Thai chickens, still haven't lifted import bans on uncooked chickens.