More food-safety data online

       Chicken exporters have applauded the Livestock Development Department for its livestock traceability system and online service programme to assure foreign buyers about the safety standards of Thai products.
       Nikorn Jamnong (second from right), an adviser to the agriculture minister, and Yukol Limlaemthong (right), directorgeneral of the Livestock Development Department, watch a demonstration of the e-service and traceability system of chicken companies.
       "The programme will improve confidence among importers and that is a significant factor to increase the exports of Thailand's poultry, especially chicken meat," said Anan Sirimongkolkasem, president of the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association.
       Thailand's chicken industry, fresh meat exports in particular, were damaged severely by the bird flu outbreak five years ago. The export volume of raw chicken meat fell almost to zero in 2004, from 480,000 tonnes shipped the year before.
       The traceability system and new compartmentalised farming methods have been applied by many Thai chicken companies to assure domestic and foreign consumers of product quality.
       Yukol Limlaemthong, the director-general of the Livestock Development Department, said that competition was very stiff in the livestock products market, in particular exported chicken meat.
       "Many countries have imposed non-tariff trade barriers with specifications of product quality and traceability of food safety throughout the entire process, both in the manufacturing and food chains for consumer safety, being required," he said.
       According to Mr Yukol, the traceability system allows for monitoring of livestock products from the beginning of breeding, feeding, manufacturing and processing through distribution to consumers.
       The department has developed an electronic system and database for prod uct 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.
       Previously, it had offered e-movement, allowing traders or manufacturers who need to move animals and carcasses to seek permission from the department via the internet.
       The implementation of the traceability system, which has become a common requirement from import countries, will help Thailand to maintain its leading position in the world chicken export industry, said Mr Yukol.
       The Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association has revised up the country's chicken export forecast this year to between 370,000 and 380,000 tonnes after an encouraging first half.
       Relate Search: Chicken exporters, Livestock Development Department, Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association