Poultry production in Thailand has come under scrutiny following concerns over export controls
Imported poultry should face the same scrutiny as domestic produce after an EU audit uncovered weaknesses in Thailand’s export controls, the Ulster Farmers’ Union has said.
The UFU is calling for robust import standards, clearer country-of-origin labelling and fair competition for Northern Ireland producers following the European Commission review.
The audit identified weaknesses involving traceability, veterinary controls, export certification, HACCP verification and the separation of products eligible and ineligible for the EU market.
Auditors also found poultry products destined for the EU had been manufactured using minced meat from an establishment not authorised for those exports.
At two processing plants, operators were unable to demonstrate that products destined for the EU contained only eligible meat.
UFU deputy president Clement Lynch said the findings reinforced the need to scrutinise imported food and ensure domestic producers were not expected to compete against products subject to different controls.
“Northern Ireland consumers have every right to know where their food comes from and to have confidence that imported products are produced to standards equal to those required of local farmers.”
Northern Ireland poultry businesses invest heavily in animal health and welfare, food safety, environmental protection, traceability and assurance schemes, the union said.
Lynch argued that imports seeking access to the market should face similarly robust requirements.
“It is only right that imported products seeking access to our market are held to equally high standards.”
He said farmers were understandably frustrated when domestic regulatory requirements continued to increase while concerns were being raised about control and compliance systems overseas.
The union said the issue extended beyond Thai poultry, arguing that the same principles should apply to beef and other imported food.
Country-of-origin labelling is among the measures the UFU wants strengthened, with the union arguing that shoppers need clear information to make informed purchasing decisions.
“This is about consumer confidence, transparency and fairness.”
Lynch added: “If we genuinely want to support local farmers, reduce food miles and strengthen our food supply chain, consumers need clear information at the point of purchase.”
The UFU also linked import standards to the wider question of maintaining domestic food production.
It said recent disruption to international supply chains had demonstrated the importance of retaining a strong local agricultural sector.
“Food security should be treated as a national priority. In the same way that governments recognise the importance of energy security, we must also recognise that food security is national security.”
Lynch said domestic production provided resilience, supported rural economies and gave consumers access to food produced under standards they could trust.
The union is also calling for future trade policy to operate on the basis of fairness and reciprocity.
“We are not opposed to trade, but trade must be fair.”
The UFU said serious shortcomings identified in overseas export systems should be addressed before further market-access concessions are considered.
“The public expects high standards from local farmers and those same expectations should apply to food imported into the UK,” Lynch said.