Bangkok (March 1, 2019) – Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) commits 100% of the gestation sow farms are progressing towards the group gestation pen with internationally recognized animal welfare practices by 2025 for Thailand operation and by 2028 for international operations.
Dr. Damnoen Chaturavittawong (DVM), senior vice president of CP Foods, said the improvement is in line with the company’s animal welfare standard, which were officially launched in April last year, to improve both the physical and mental health of animals, allowing the animals to move freely and express natural behaviors through “Five Freedoms” principle.
At present, ratio of pregnant sow farms with group gestation pen increased from 24% in 2017 to 32% last year.
He added that the improved living condition and humane practices will also help the animals to be in healthy condition, reducing a chance of using antimicrobial treatment in line with its Global Vision on Antimicrobials Use Stewardship in Food in Animals.
“The two policies reflects our commitments as a responsible farming and food production organization to provide safe and high quality foods that promote all lives,” noted Dr. Damnoen.
Dr.Damnoen said the company tries to manage farm environment naturally in relevant to international standard through closed-operation to keep animal without strains and free from diseases. However, if they are sick, medicine treatment is needed in line with animal welfare practices. Sick animal will also be separated from the farm to ensure good health of animals in farm.
“All of the company’s swine farms are controlled by Evaporative Cooling System (EVAP), an advance technology to control the environment and temperature within the farm. This system can greatly reduce a risk of infectious diseases and helping pigs to be comfort and relax,” he said.
CP Foods Animal Welfare Policy also concentrates on poultry under which the company is going to develop layer hen husbandry in Thailand operation towards cage-free. Poultry welfare officers in broiler chicken business will be trained for operations in all countries by 2020. In Thailand has adopted international standards on animal welfare since 2000.
Additionally, CP Foods ranked in “Tier 4: Making progress on implementation” in the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare Report 2018, the leading global measure of farm animal welfare in food industry. It is the only Thai company among 150 leading food brands included in the report.
