September 2, 2004

Overhaul Of Thailand's Poultry System To Be Clarified By End September

A committee responsible for drawing up strategies to overhaul Thailand's poultry farming system will come to its conclusions by the end of the month, according to Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang. This move comes in the wake of the latest avian flu epidemic in Asia.

Mr. Chaturon said that the committee would come up with clear strategies on poultry farming and processing, as well as a final pronouncement on whether the use of an avian flu vaccine will be authorized. 

he said while the committee had made considerable process, the details of a number of issues remained unclear, such as consumer safety or measures to cushion the impact of avian flu on the nation's chicken industry.

The latest figures from the Department of Livestock Development show that avian flu remains a problem in 18 provinces.