Japan may import poultry from Thailand again

BANGKOK, 6 March 2010 (NNT) – Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Theera Wongsamut, asks the Japanese government to consider re-importing poultry from Thailand after the country has been clear of avian flu for over a year.

During a recent visit to Japan, Mr Theera met with Japanese Minister of Agriculture and Fishery, Hirotaka Akamatsu. The two discussed several topics including the bird flu situation in Thailand.

According to Mr Thira, the Japanese minister agreed to send officials to examine the disease control procedure in Thailand and might reconsider lifting a ban on Thai poultry. Japan has stopped buying poultry from Thailand since 2004 due to concerns over bird flu.