Prime Minister Cites Food Safety as Thailand’s Top Priority

(27/09/2012)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, during her visit to the United States from 23 to 29 September 2012, cited food safety as Thailand’s top priority. The Prime Minister stated that food and agricultural food products are not only a key export and industry but also an important part of Thailand’s cultural heritage. In her remarks at the “Kitchen to the World Event,” held at the Plaza Athénée Hotel in New York, the Prime Minister said that Thailand is proud to promote Thai food and agricultural products, as well as Thai restaurants overseas. With annual revenue from food exports exceeding 20 billion US dollars a year and as the world’s largest exporter of rice in 2012, she said, Thailand has become a major provider of food and agricultural products to the world. The country’s success is due to the strength of its farmers and natural resources, advanced technology in food processing, innovative product development, and strategic marketing. She explained that Thai food is also popular because Thai ingredients are able to complement other cuisines. Despite its success as a major food producer, Thailand aims to produce and export even more to the world. This is because global demand for food and food products continues to increase, while climate change and natural disasters have affected supply. The issue of food security is becoming more important and Thailand will play its part. That is why Thailand launched the “Kitchen to the World” campaign. The objective is to find ways to produce more food and food products that meet international standards and are tailor-made to meet the needs of customers. However, she said, food quality is most important. Thailand will produce quality food products that will benefit the health of consumers. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 25 September 2012 in Bangkok on “Thailand Food Valley.” The MOU aims to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the processed food industry. Emphasis will also be placed on supporting research and development. The objective is to develop Thailand into a food industrial center in the ASEAN region. The Permanent Secretary for Science and Technology, Pornchai Rujiprapa said that Thailand Food Valley is modeled after an initiative of the Netherlands, which has developed innovative products in response to the market demand. As for food production in Thailand, the public sector has offered a helping hand in terms of sanitation, research and development, and logistics. In order to promote innovation, the Ministry of Science and Technology has asked the National Innovation Agency to help improve food production processes and transportation for the benefit of consumers and to reduce losses.