August 13, 2018

Thailand to reduce antibiotics use in livestock
 

Thailand's Livestock Department director-general Sorawit Thaneto and members of the Thai Veterinary Medical Association Under Royal Patronage (TVMA) have announced a move to cut antibiotics use in livestock, Pattaya Mail reported.
 

Along other agencies, the VMA and the Livestock Department will cooperate in creating guidelines on the use of antibiotics in livestock, in order to ensure no chemicals are left in meat before reaching consumers, TVMA president Dr. Somchuan Rattanamangkalanont said.

The guidelines will align with international standards for antibiotic use. In addition, the Livestock Department has set a goal to reduce the use of chemicals in livestock by 30% by 2021. Meat manufacturers will also be required to comply with the regulations.

Thai Swine Veterinary Association president Dr. Sujet Cheunchom said his organisation will make sure that pork producers comply with the consumer safety guidelines.

As for poultry, the president of the Thai Poultry Veterinary Association, Dr. Sumet Sapchukul, said Japan, the Middle East and the EU continue to import chicken from Thailand as it meets global safety standards.

He added that veterinarians working on chicken farms use antibiotics only when it is absolutely necessary and in a small amount to treat sick chickens.

Dr. Sumet also claimed farm chickens in Thailand are bred from species that are resistant to diseases.
 

- Pattaya Mail