Thailand: Thailand has an opportunity to increase its chicken exports after China and the European Union suspended imports from Brazil due to a severe outbreak of bird flu on farms. Meanwhile, the Department of Livestock Development emphasized that Thailand’s disease prevention system is strict and can effectively prevent outbreaks.
According to Thai News Agency, Veterinarian Somchuan Rattanamangalanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, revealed that Brazil, the world’s largest chicken exporter, has found an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in a farm and has received official confirmation, resulting in China and the European Union (EU) temporarily suspending the import of chicken meat and products from Brazil.
Data from the Brazilian Meat Exporters Association shows that China and the EU imported a combined 793,000 tons of chicken meat from Brazil last year, accounting for almost 15% of total exports. This situation could provide an opportunity for Thailand to expand its market to meet new orders, given its strength in internationally recognized animal hygiene systems.
The Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development stated that Thailand had encountered bird flu only once more than 10 years ago and there had been no re-infestation since 2014 onwards because the Department of Livestock Development had established a strict prevention system covering production, disease control, and continuous proactive surveillance. For disease prevention guidelines in Thai poultry farms, there are 5 important measures:
1. Biosecurity systems such as strictly restricting farm entry, disinfecting equipment, and properly handling animal carcasses.
2. The compartment system or closed farm system of poultry farming according to international standards covers everything from animal feed factories to processing plants.
3. Animal health monitoring, both proactive and reactive, along with promoting farmer training.
4. Controlling the movement of poultry and poultry products by suspending imports from countries with outbreaks.
5. Destruction of poultry in risk areas if they are found to be sick or die abnormally.
“Animal disease control requires cooperation from all sectors, both public and private, under the concept of One Health to maintain Thailand’s disease-free status and maintain the confidence of trading partners around the world,” said the Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development.
In this regard, if farmers find animals that are sick or die abnormally, they can notify the local livestock office or contact via the DLD 4.0 application and the hotline 063-225-6888, 24 hours a day, to receive advice and assistance in a timely manner.