Island to get ‘up to standard’ abattoir

PHUKET TOWN: In an effort to improve food safety standards in Phuket, the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) and Provincial Livestock Office have agreed to get together to build a 60-million baht slaughterhouse in Kathu using a government-subsidized 5% loan from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Bank. PPLO Chief Sunart Wongchawalit told the Gazette today that the facility, to be operated for profit by the OrBorJor, would be the first abattoir in Phuket to meet all government standards. He added that there are currently about 20 slaughterhouses operating illegally on the island and that his office is trying to bring them into compliance with government regulations. The project, initiated by the Livestock Office, was approved by Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura on January 9. A loan request to the SME Bank is now being prepared by the Livestock Development Department in Bangkok. K. Sunart expects the loan to be approved because the SME has earmarked a nationwide total of 5 billion baht for the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as part of the Government’s food safety initiative. The OrBorJor will get about 150 baht per animal slaughtered, which in theory will allow it to repay the loan within five years. “We plan to build the abattoir on about 15 rai of land in Kathu. This is the most central location on the island,” K. Sunart added.