Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) based in Bangkok, Thailand, has announced a global policy on animal welfare in line with international animal health principles. The company said implementation of the policy is meant to “ensure the happiness of its farm animals.”

The policy will be implemented by all CPF businesses worldwide to fulfill its corporate promise as a responsible and ethical food producer and provider of safe, sustainable products to consumers.

CPF said its welfare practices are in accordance with Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare to ensure that farm animals will be free from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury and disease, fear and distress and be able to express normal behaviors.

A healthy animal is the foundation of healthy foods, the company said.

Sooksunt Jiumjaiswanglerg, chief executive officer of agro-industrial business and co-president, said as one of the leading agro-industrial and food conglomerates, CPF adheres to responsible farming and food production.

The company’s farms and operation will comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations of Thailand and the countries where CPF operates.

In addition, the company said it will focus not only on customer requirements but also on international standards for animal welfare.

“This policy will be complied by all of CPF’s business around the world in the pursuit of excellent animal welfare management. We also hope that our success and experiences will be passed on to our partners in livestock and aquaculture business,” Sooksunt noted.

CPF is working closely with business partners to ensure that all animals receive appropriate and humane treatment. Furthermore, it aims to cooperate with business partners, government agencies, civil society organizations, research institutes and all stakeholders to create awareness of the welfare principles.

Sukhawat Dansermsuk, CEO of food business and co-president, said the policy reflects the company’s commitment to produce safe and quality foods. It will reassure consumers about the quality and safety of every part of CPF’s food supply chain.

“The company strives for improving quality and safe food, starting from the animal welfare at the farm,” Sukhawat said, adding that the company believes that the healthier the animals are, the less they will need to be given medications. "This principle helps us to make sure that safe and nutritional foods will be delivered to us and our loved ones."

Somkuan Choowatanapakorn, chief operating officer of pig business and head of CPF’s animal welfare committee, said the company has established an animal welfare policy that all business units of the company concerned with animal farming, meat processing and the manufacturing of food products must undertake and aptly implement into practice.

Under the policy, CPF has set a goal to replace individual gestation pens with group pens -- a method that it says provides a more relaxed environment. The practice will be managed in both the Thailand and overseas operations by 2025 and 2028, respectively.

The company also announced plans to move toward cage-free table egg layer farming so it can provide birds with “more freedom to express their animal behaviors.”

It is important to note that CPF’s poultry business in Thailand has had an international standard of animal welfare since 2000. The company will also apply the same standard to all broiler and meat-type duck farms at its overseas operations -- which will be supervised by a certified poultry welfare officer -- by 2020.

CPF is the first Thai company to adopt Germany’s QS Standard for chicken production processing. The standard signifies quality and safety in the food-for-consumption production line and is acknowledged by Germany as well as other European Union members. It also reflects the company's strict compliance with transparency in the production process, traceability and animal health and welfare.

“CPF has launched and developed its animal welfare practice continuously. Related animal welfare activities are reviewed by internal and external auditors to ensure that all animals have been treated by this policy,” Somkuan said.

CPF has assigned a committee on animal welfare to set forth the policies and goals as well as to support, assess and report to the company’s executive committee. The top management in each business line will control and propel the administration in accordance with the policy and the guidance of the company, CPF said.