Bangkok: The Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development has mandated increased scrutiny over meat source inspections to ensure legality and consumer safety. He advises selecting offerings that meet the 'Livestock OK' standard, which certifies seven types of livestock products. Currently, there are 8,400 participating distribution sources nationwide.
According to Thai News Agency, Veterinarian Somchuan Rattanamangalanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, has instructed provincial livestock offices across the country to rigorously inspect slaughterhouses. The focus is on verifying the origin of animals or meat, checking licenses for transporting animal carcasses, and ensuring quantities align with those being slaughtered. Any legal discrepancies will result in strict enforcement actions, thereby assuring the public of the traceability and safety of domestically sold meats such as pork, chicken, and duck.
The demand for livestock products notably rises during the Chinese New Year festival. Popular items among Thai-Chinese communities for ceremonial purposes include pork, chicken, duck, and eggs.
The Director-General further emphasized the importance of purchasing from reputable sources that meet hygiene standards and are traceable. The 'Livestock OK' certification, a project by the Department of Livestock Development, ensures that meat and livestock products come from standard farms and legal slaughterhouses. The certification covers pork, chicken, duck, beef, and various eggs, providing consumers with a reliable option. Presently, there are 8,400 certified sales locations throughout the country.
For more information, the public can visit http://certify.dld.go.th or use the DLD 4.0 application.