Bangkok, June 15- Director General of the Department of Livestock Development confirmed. The Department of Livestock Development is not involved in the illegal pork smuggling movement. According to the news that Smugglers falsely declare fish and seafood. by paying high-ranking officials of the Department of Livestock Development and the Customs Department In exchange for not checking the products in the cabinet Revealing the procedure for applying for a license to import fish and seafood No need to contact the livestock checkpoint but if it is a livestock product will check every cabinet
Mr. Somchuan Veterinarian Rattana Mangkhalanon The Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development revealed the case that there was news in the media that The illegal pork smuggling process uses the method of declaring the imported goods as fish and seafood. by paying senior officials of the Department of Livestock Development and officials of the Customs Department in exchange for not inspecting the cargo inside the container The Department of Livestock Development confirmed that Absolutely not involved in the illegal importation of illegal pork As well as no demand for money in exchange for not inspecting the goods inside the container that the importer falsely declares to be fish and seafood as reported in the news because according to the procedures for importing fish and seafood products The port of animal quarantine of the Department of Livestock Development will not be notified of the request for permission and therefore will not participate in the inspection of the goods in any way. Therefore, smugglers do not need to come in contact with the Department of Livestock Development. But if there is a declaration of imported goods in the group of livestock
On the other hand, Dr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, ordered the Department of Livestock Development together with relevant agencies to continuously prevent and suppress smuggling of illegal pork to prevent animal epidemics. protecting livestock farmers and protect consumers The Department of Livestock Development has joined forces with the Consumer Protection Offense Suppression Division (Bor.PorChor.Chor.) and the Central Investigation Bureau to investigate the smuggling of animal carcasses in cold storage across the country. They also work with police, military and customs officials to continuously monitor border smuggling. Until being able to arrest and seize smuggled pork and parts under the authority under the Animal Epidemic Act B.E. 2558, as appeared in the news in various media continuously since 2022 and at the end of the year 2022, the Department of Livestock Development has assessed the risk of smuggling processes in pig carcasses and parts. Therefore, the prevention and suppression measures have been upgraded to be more intense continuously until now. by changing the head of the port animal quarantine checkpoint that are at risk of smuggling in order to enhance the prevention and suppression
As for the results of the investigation to prevent and suppress the smuggling of illegal pork in the past The Department of Livestock Development has inspected entrepreneurs 510 times and was able to seize carcasses and parts of pigs and bury them, totaling 1,031,536 kilograms, valued at 173,024,174 baht. That examined and prosecuted more than 700,000 kilograms or 700 tons, which is the most in history in Phetchaburi Province with Dr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as the chairman on January 12, 2023.
Due to continuous investigations and arrests, smugglers are unable to conveniently store animal carcasses in cold storage and distribute them. As a result, many containers remain in the custody of the customs. until the Port Authority of Thailand implemented the white port project Set up a committee to open the inspection cabinet for residual goods at the Laem Chabang Customs Checkpoint. There is a report from the Laem Chabang Customs House that Found 161 containers of pork and parts leftovers, containing more than 4.5 million kilograms of pork carcasses.
The Department of Livestock Development continues to strive to cooperate with relevant agencies rigorously and continuously. Including ordering and emphasizing animal quarantine officer Provincial and district livestock across the country monitor, inspect and intercept smuggling of live animals and carcasses in all channels. Both the port at the international airport checkpoint and along the border with neighboring countries And set up a team of cyber livestock inspectors to check on social media. Including having a random inspection of the cold storage. Meat place continuously within the country to prevent and suppress smuggling
This is carried out in conjunction with a project to encourage people to buy meat from a selling place certified by the Department of Livestock Development. Can be traced to the source of production that comes from farm standards. Legal and sanitary slaughterhouse by a certified sales place will receive the “OK Livestock” logo affixed to the selling location Currently, there are more than 8,000 locations certified by the Department of Livestock Development across the country.
Veterinarian Somchuan emphasized that The Department of Livestock Development strictly and continuously complies with its mandate under the Animal Epidemic Act B.E. 2558 (2015). To monitor and prevent animal epidemics that may be attached to meat or pork parts that have not been inspected for production sources and are not allowed to be imported. in order to protect consumers from diseases and residues Including protecting farmers who raise animals. And not to smuggle animal carcasses to interfere with domestic marketing mechanisms, affecting farmers who raise unfairly as well.
If the public has a clue or sees an illegal action on livestock Or found an officer of the Department of Livestock Development involved in the offence. Reports can be made through the DLD 4.0 application at any time or through other channels such as the Department of Livestock Development's Complaint Center, etc. The Department of Livestock Development will continue to investigate the facts and strictly punish the offence.-News Agency Thai
Source: Thai News Agency