August 3, 2006

Thai chicken producers implement zoning system

Thai chicken producers, facing the possibility of an extended export ban now that bird flu is re-emerging in the country, are implementing a new zoning system for their facilities.

24 chicken producers controlling 1,677 farms had agreed to raise poultry under a zoning structure, livestock Development Department director-general Yukol Limlamthong said.

This system follows the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) requiring farmers to raise poultry in designated areas in accordance to biosecurity standards.

The new system would require poultry-raising facilities to be classified under five zones, with each zone divided into compartments. These compartments would have a common biosecurity management system controlling an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status.

According to Mr Yukol, the Livestock Development Department would soon inform the European Union of farm improvements in Thailand.

CP Foods has developed 856 farms under the zoning system, while Betagro has already implemented zoning in its 300 farms.