Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CPF) heralds its success in promoting animal welfare, to assure global consumers of the company’s food safety standards.
Dr. Payungsak Somyanontanakul, CPF's Vice President, as chairman of the Animal Welfare Committee, said: “CPF has adhered to best and sustainable practices on animal welfare for more than 20 years and its efforts have been recognised across the globe.”
“Throughout the years,” he continued, “employees have been trained to become poultry welfare officers (PWOs) who give advice to chicken farms in Thailand and all countries that CPF has invested in. To date, their coverage is 100%. Regarding layer poultry farming, the cage free approach first adopted in Thailand shows satisfactory results. Meanwhile, all sow breeding farms in Thailand will adopt group housing in 2025 while the farms overseas will switch to group-pen in 2028. Swine Health and Welfare training is underway, to raise sustainable awareness in the Company's farms as well as contracted farmers' farms.”
“At CPF, the animal welfare policy is implemented alongside the policy of responsible use of antibiotics and adhering to humanitarian and animal welfare principles. Sick animals are treated according to their symptoms and protected against diseases so that they maintain good physical and mental health. This is in accordance with practices widely adopted in Thailand and many countries.”
Dr. Payungsak further noted that: “CPF has transferred farming knowledge to chicken and swine farmers in its network to ensure their understanding of animal welfare and compliance with relevant international requirements. Such knowledge covers farming methods, transportation, capturing and processing.”
CPF’s chicken farms focus on high quality, healthy and meaty chicken, a product that represents years of development. Chickens are raised in closed barns, kept cool by evaporative cooling systems and equipped with computerized water and food-feeding systems. Using cage-free techniques, the chickens can roam freely.
CPF also adopts cage-free egg production, whereby hens move around freely in enclosed, air-conditioned barns. As guided by the Bio Security Hi-Tech Farming technique, aside from sufficient food and water, the hens enjoy comfortable and hygienic conditions.
All swine farms now have EVAP (evaporative) farm buildings. Farrowing crates for sows are replaced by group housing to ensure their comfort and good environment.
Dr. Payungsak asserted that: “Comfortable environment, protection against disease and nutritious food keep the animals healthy and strong. Without stress and diseases, they do not need growth hormones or anti-biotics. To conclude, this guarantees the safety and quality of CPF food products delivered to consumers across the world.”
