Agreement signed to export goats to Malaysia

BANGKOK, July 28 (TNA) – A farmers’ network has signed a memorandum of understanding to export about 1,000 live goats to Malaysia a month. The export value is estimated at about 40 million baht annually. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chatchai Sarikulya presided over the signing ceremony between the Thailand Goat Sheep Farmers Network and Primo Agro Ventures Sdn Bhd of Malaysia. He said the MoU took immediate effect. It is valid for one year and can be renewed if both sides agree to do so at least 60 days before the expiry date. According to the minister, 50,000 farmers’ households raise about 645,000 goats nationwide and most of them are in the South. The local consumption of goats rose 53% in the past two years. Apai Suttisunk, director-general of the Livestock Development Department, said Thailand would export about 1,000 goats monthly to Malaysia. Each goat weighing 25-40 kilograms must undergo parasite checks and be certified by the department. The export value is estimated at about 3 million baht a month or nearly 40 million baht a year. (TNA)