Thai exporters urged to capitalize European chicken market

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Commerce has urged local chicken exporters, both large and small-scaled ones, to capitalize the European market, after the European Union (EU) has already lifted its ban on Thai chicken exports. Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said Thursday that the EU’s decision, effective from July 2012, will benefit Thai chicken exporters; so, his ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives are jointly launching public relations campaigns to inform and invite the Thai exporters of fresh and frozen chicken to apply for the EU's import quota, granted up to 100,000 tons this year. Boonsong told reporters that his ministry is also sending a letter to Japan and South Korea, asking the two major markets to also lift their import ban on Thai fresh and frozen chicken. The commerce minister suggested, however, that local chicken exporters and concerned agencies keep on ensuring quality and safety of the Thai food product based on international standards, as the 27-member EU bloc will maintain its strict inspections of all imported poultry. (TNA)