The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thamanat Prompow commanded that the disposal of approximately 4,300 tonnes of unlawfully smuggled pork be carried out in a Sa Kaeo landfill. The pork was earlier seized at Laem Chabang port during a Department of the Special Investigation (DSI) probe in July. The confiscated shipment, valued at over 500 million baht, comprised 161 containers.
Thamanat emphasised that the ministry is prioritising the prevention and crackdown of illicit agricultural imports, significantly smuggled pork. This strategy is aimed toward precluding potential animal pandemics, thwarting market manipulation, and safeguarding customers.
The Department of Livestock Development has been entrusted with managing the carcass burial on the Animal Nutrition Research and Development Centre landfill in Sa Kaeo. A joint effort shall be required, with officials from the Royal Thai Police, the DSI, the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand, and the Customs Department collaborating in the operation, in accordance with the Department of Livestock Development’s director-general, Dr Somchuan Ratanamungklanon.
According to Dr Somchuan, the whole process, which can adhere to the World Organisation for Animal Health’s normal process, is expected to take 5 days. Six large pits lined with polyethene will be used to bury the smuggled pork, stopping the surrounding area from being contaminated by decomposition. Furthermore, pipes will be installed in these pits to soundly discharge the gases produced throughout decomposition.
Dr Somchuan highlighted the concern that smuggled pork might doubtlessly be a carrier of African swine fever, a highly infectious and deadly disease.
From the first of October last year to the tip of August this 12 months, Thailand has confiscated roughly 1,142 tonnes of smuggled pork in 238 separate circumstances, excluding the DSI seizure. The seized pork, value 190 million baht, has principally been disposed of, with 1,049 tonnes already processed.
In a notable incident in June, over ten tonnes of unlawfully imported frozen pork had been seized from a cold storage facility in Samut Sakhon, Bangkok Post reported.
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