Thailand Suspends Bovine and Buffalo Carcasses Imports from China and Türkiye Due to Disease Risks

Thailand has imposed a temporary suspension on the importation or transit of bovine and buffalo and their carcasses from China and Türkiye to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease ****

Regulation Analysis: Thailand’s Temporary Suspension on Bovine and Buffalo Imports from China and Türkiye

Thailand has imposed a temporary suspension on the importation or transit of bovine, buffalo, and their carcasses from China and Türkiye to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD). This measure is enforced under the Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015) and aligns with international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Key Requirements and Provisions

1. Scope of Suspension
   • The suspension applies to bovine, buffalo, and their carcasses originating from or transiting through China and Türkiye^{1, 2, 3, 4}.
   • The measure is temporary and entered into force on 23 May 2026^{1, 3}.

1. Justification and Legal Basis
   • The suspension is an emergency measure to protect Thailand’s domestic livestock industry from FMD (Serotype SAT1 in Türkiye) and LSD^{3, 4}.
   • The measure is authorized under Article 6(1) and Article 33 of the Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015)³.
   • It conforms to Chapter 8.8 of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code³.

1. Exceptions and Conditional Approval
   • Imports or transit may be permitted if:
   • The products undergo a risk assessment and are confirmed free from epidemic diseases or vectors^{3, 4}.
   • The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) prescribes and verifies compliance with additional mitigation measures^{3, 4}.
   • The Director-General of the DLD grants explicit approval^{3, 4}.

1. Enforcement Authority
   • The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) is the responsible agency^{1, 2, 3, 4}.
   • The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) serves as the National Notification Authority and National Enquiry Point for inquiries^{1, 2, 3, 4}.

1. Notification and Compliance
   • The measure was notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/THA/808 (Türkiye) and G/SPS/N/THA/809 (China)^{1, 2}.
   • Stakeholders may submit comments or requests for documents to the ACFS via email or post^{1, 2, 3, 4}.

Summary Table of Key Requirements

Summary Answer

Thailand has temporarily suspended the importation or transit of bovine, buffalo, and their carcasses from China and Türkiye effective 23 May 2026, citing outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD)^{1, 2, 3, 4}. The measure is enforced under the Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015) and complies with WOAH standards³. Exceptions may be granted if products undergo a DLD-approved risk assessment and meet mitigation requirements^{3, 4}. The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) is the primary authority, while the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) handles inquiries^{1, 2, 3, 4}. The suspension was notified to the WTO under G/SPS/N/THA/808 and G/SPS/N/THA/809^{1, 2}.

Sources

1. ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA809C1.docx
2. ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA808C1.docx
3. ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA809.docx
4. ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA808.docx