Thailand assists Laos for export standards
Thailand assists Laos for export standards
Thailand is moving to support Laos in developing inspection systems and certifying peanut kernel for export after the Thai authorities issued new agricultural standards recently.
The new Thai agricultural standard for Peanut Kernel: Maximum Level of Aflatoxin (TAS 4702-2014) will be enforced for implementation on January 7 next year, according to the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodities and Food Standards (NBACFS) of Thailand.
The Thai Agriculture Department and NBACFS team led by the ACFS Advisor, Mr Wichar Thitiprasert and NBACFS Secretary General, Ms Doojduan Sasanavin met with Lao agricultural officials last week in Champassak province to help Laos in preparing to implement the standard.
The Thai technical committee has assisted to install the equipment for peanut kernel (aflatoxin level) inspection and trained Lao agricultural technicians to understand the materials and the method of analysis and control of aflatoxin, the Department of Agriculture's Deputy Director General in Laos, Mr Khamtanh Thadavong told Vientiane Times yesterday.
Thai authorities also revealed the rules and other documents when peanut producers prepare to export their products to Thailand, he said.
Assistance will help to improve the quality of peanut kernel in Laos to international standards and to develop the peanut entrepreneurs in Laos for trade facilitation.
We focused on Champassak as the province has potential in agricultural production, as do other southern provinces, especially Saravan, Xekong and Attapeu which export their products via Champassak, said Mr Khamtanh.
The province also has the basic equipment and human resources to manage the laboratory services.
On the occasion, both sides also drafted a cooperation document on p eanut standard improvements for export, which shall serve as a mechanism to boost collaboration in trading between the two countries, he explained.
Each year, Laos exports many tonnes of peanut kernel to neighbouring countries, especially Thailand but most of its products move through unofficial channels.
This standard establishes aflatoxin levels and control measures for dried peanut kernels, which serve as raw materials for further processing as food in order to regulate the producers, traders and inspection of produced, imported or exported dried peanut kernel.
The maximum level of total aflatoxins in peanut kern el shall not exceed 20 microgrammes per kilogramme.
Peanuts produced in Thailand are not e nough for domestic use, so large quantities of peanuts have to be imported.
Last year, Thailand imported peanut kernel for consumption in excess of 30,000 tonnes, worth 1,068 million baht.
Most of it was imported from India, China, Myanmar and Laos and this year the country has imported over 24,000 tonnes of peanut kernel, worth 1,016 million baht and expected the amount of peanut kernel trend to further grow.
