Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods), a global leader in the broiler industry, recently participated in the International Poultry Council 2023 to share its best practices in sustainable boiler farming with a focus on animal welfare coupled with smart farming technology with executives and leaders in the boiler industry from 27 countries worldwide in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr Payungsak Somyanontanagul, Deputy Director of Farm Standard & Regulation at CP Foods, emphasized that the five freedoms of animal welfare are essential to the success of sustainable broiler farming in Thailand, along with the use of innovation and smart farm technology to boost efficiency and animal health to reduce the antibiotic use in order to deliver safe and chemical-free food to consumers around the world.
The animal welfare principles help CP Foods reduce the use of antibiotics in several ways. First, by ensuring that animals are raised in a comfortable environment, with adequate space and housing, and free from stress, they are less likely to become sick. Second, by providing animals with a balanced diet and clean water, they can maintain good health, reducing the need for antibiotics to prevent illness. Lastly, by allowing animals to express their natural behaviors, such as perching or roaming, they can be mentally stimulated and less likely to develop negative behaviors, which can lead to illness.
“By prioritizing the five freedoms, CP Foods can promote animal health produce, which in turn contributes to the production of safe and chemical-free foods. Dr.Payngsak said, in terms of sustainability, good animal welfare leads to a low mortality rate, efficient feed conversion, thus reduce grain used and, ultimately, enables the company to lower GHG emissions.
Additionally, CP Foods raises chicken and layers with probiotics that create and boost the immune systems in the intestines, thereby reducing the risk of disease and the need of antibiotics for treatment. By balancing the intestinal microbiota of chicken, probiotics promote a healthy gut and reduce the likelihood of bacterial infections, allowing CP Foods to reduce the use of antibiotics and minimizing risk of residue.
CP Foods has implemented cutting-edge farm technology, such as IoT, Automation, and AI, to create innovative and intelligent farms. These farms gather data on activities inside them and store it in the “I Cloud” system, allowing the company to boost the efficiency of its EVAP chicken farms while minimizing human-animal contact. Moreover, the SMART farms offer various forms of enrichment, such as roosting perches and balls, to help chickens feel more comfortable.
In terms of carbon footprint, CP Foods is committed to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and intends to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently, the GHG emissions from CP Foods’ fresh chicken meat products are 50% lower than the average emission level for chicken meat in Thailand. CP Foods' efforts align with the One Health principle, which recognizes the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health.
"CP Foods prioritizes farming practices that meet the growing consumer needs for sustainable food. We continuously raise the standard of our foods to provide consumers with confidence in our products' quality, safety, animal welfare, and sustainability. We believe our best practices will make us the sustainable kitchen of the world," said Dr. Payungsak.
The International Poultry Council 2023 conference, held in Bangkok; Thailand, brought together leaders in poultry businesses and key industry stakeholders from all over the world to share and discuss sustainable farming practices. Attendees included representatives from Thailand's Department of Livestock Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Animal Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, Rabobank, and leading business organizations.
