August 25, 2009

Thai chicken exporters have applauded the Livestock Development Department for its livestock traceability system and online service programme that help assure foreign buyers about the safety standards of Thailand's products, according to the Bangkok Post.

The programme will improve confidence among importers, which will help increase Thai poultry exports, said Anan Sirimongkolkasem, president of the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association.

Thailand's chicken industry and fresh meat exports were severely damaged by the bird flu outbreak five years ago. Raw chicken meat exports fell to nearly zero in 2004 from 480,000 tonnes shipped in 2003.

In order to assure domestic and foreign consumers of Thai product quality, many Thai chicken companies have implemented the traceability system and new compartmentalised farming methods.

Competition is very tough in the livestock products market, particularly exported chicken meat, and many countries have imposed non-tariff trade barriers with product quality and food safety traceability specifications in the entire food chain system, said Yukol Limlaethong, director-general of the Department.

The Department has developed an electronic system and database for product quality control that is connected with the systems of chicken companies and others in the food chains. The Department also provides e-service, which allows traders to file service request forms efficiently.

The implementation of the traceability system, which has become a common requirement from import countries, will help Thailand maintain a leading position in the global chicken export industry, said Yukol.

The Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association expects to export about 370,000 and 380,000 tonnes of chicken this year after en encouraging first half result.