BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) of the Ministry of Commerce has reassured the public that there are no new bird flu cases in Thailand as rumored.
Commenting on a report recently spread in social media about a discovery of avian influenza at a poultry farm in Thailand, Deputy Director-General of the DFT Panjit Pitsawong said such information had been confirmed by the Department of Livestock Development and the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association as false.
Ms Panjit elaborated that Thailand had been successful in eradicating bird flu and staying completely free from the disease since 2008. A number of trade partner countries which imposed a ban on Thai poultry following the outbreak have also agreed to resume their imports. They include Russia, South Africa, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the European Union, Singapore and Japan.
During January-November 2013, Thailand exported nearly 503,000 tons of chicken meat and products, valued at 64.5 billion baht, with the largest markets being the EU, Laos and Japan. This year, it is expected that up to 650,000 tons will be shipped out at a cost of at least 80 billion baht.
