BANGKOK: Thailand has implemented new feed regulations that the U.S. government says are unnecessary and will affect exports of U.S. animal protein feed ingredients in 2018.
The regulations restrict imports of feed and feed ingredients containing certain animal proteins, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Specifically, the regulations limit imports of those products to individual facilities in exporting countries that are first audited and approved by Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD). In addition, import controls will be different based on a country’s risk for mad cow disease and bird flu. Thai officials said the rules are unchanged and provide a clearer regulatory framework; U.S. officials disagree.
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“The discrepancy in audit approach, if not resolved, will affect exports of U.S. animal protein feed ingredients in 2018,” the FAS said. “In 2016, Thailand imported U.S. $5.3 million of bone and bone meal, a subcategory of affected feed ingredients from the United States.”
The rule became effective on Aug. 3, but was not implemented until Nov. 14, when Thai animal feed manufacturers and importers received a letter on the new procedures.
