July 13, 2020

Thailand imposes strict inspection measures on imported meat

The Thailand Livestock Development Department said all imported meat must be certified for food safety and tested disease-free by laboratories or manufacturers before being sold to protect against livestock disease outbreaks, Pattaya Mail Thailand reported.

Sorawit Thanito, director-general of the Livestock Development Department said inspectors and quarantine officials have been told to prevent smuggling of meat or carcasses into Thailand.

He said these measures prevent possible animal epidemics to enter the country, boost Thailand's food standards and ensures consumer confidence, adding that imported livestock for sale must be certified disease-free by laboratories or livestock product manufacturers.

Thailand has approved the following countries for livestock imports: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, France, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. Sorawit said 20 other countries have expressed interest to export to Thailand as it is considered a gateway to the southeast Asia market.

Meat exports to Thailand include pork, beef, and chicken, as well as parma ham, salami and salt-cured meat.

-      Pattaya Mail