Thailand to be leading livestock production/export base in ASEAN

BANGKOK, March 28 (TNA) - Thailand has potential to become a leading production and export base of livestocks in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the future. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Yukol Limlamthong talked about the country's potential at a meeting organised by the Animal Health Products Association in Bangkok on Thursday, pointing out that Thailand currently produces a large amount and variety of livestocks and pets, totally worth over 200 billion baht annually, with major produce including 16 million pigs, 300,000 tonnes of shrimps and 20 million chickens, as well as 7 million canines and one million cats. Yukol acknowledged that the figures show Thailand's high potential to become a production and export base of livestocks in the region, thanks to the country's readiness in quality livestock personnel, as well as advance technologies and laboratories and even the National Institute of Animal Health to monitor and analyse animal diseases. To become a leading livestock production and export base in the region as targeted, the caretaker deputy prime minister suggested that Thailand also produce and export animal breeds, especially those of pigs, chickens and cattle, as well as animal feeds, along with those of meat and other animal products. The caretaker deputy prime minister also recommended that Thai livestock operators expand their investment into neighbouring countries where raw materials are cheaper in order to reduce their production costs. (TNA)