Thailand to be positioned as epicenter for progress of the animal health industry
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Zoetis Inc., formerly the animal health business unit of Pfizer Inc., is organizing a Congress with more than 1,000 animal health industry professionals to map out a strategy that will put Thailand in the forefront of ASEAN’s animal health sector.
Professionals involved in veterinary science, including academics, veterinarians, farm owners, professionals in the livestock sector, as well as technicians and manufacturers of equipment related to animal health will develop a blueprint for the growth of the animal health industry in Thailand.
The ‘Zoetis Congress for Animal Health’ will be held at CentralWorld Centara, Bangkok on June 10, 2013.
Songwut Sakchalathorn, General Manager, Zoetis (Thailand) Ltd., said, “The ASEAN Economic Community’s focus on economic development in the region gives Thailand a historic opportunity to become the center of the animal health industry in ASEAN.”
“Animal health has been a growing industry and one of Thailand’s most important economic sectors, especially in livestock production. The Animal Health Products Association of Thailand estimates that the industry will grow at ten percent annually. ”
“The opportunities for animal health in Thailand lie in new innovations in vaccines -- particularly swine and poultry vaccines -- and in taking our technologies and knowhow to neighboring countries. This will not only benefit the domestic market but could also drive exports,” he added.
The five key areas critical for Thailand to leverage the new regional opportunities are: being at the forefront of egg vaccination, live vaccination, laboratory controls and checks, international hygiene standards on farms, and improved productivity.
He said, “Good animal husbandry covers all these areas and could ultimately translate to higher food safety and food conversion ratio for livestock. Such improvements could, in turn, create greater opportunities for the farmers of Thailand and healthier consumers.”
“The right vaccines and the right practices in farms are essential to ensure ‘farm-to-fork’ hygiene as well as Thailand’s continued success in this sector,” he said. “We are organizing this Congress to develop a strategy that includes training specialists and farm owners as well as building awareness around innovation in vaccines, new technologies and equipment.”
Speaking about the contribution of Zoetis in Thailand, Songwut said, “Apart from training specialists and farm owners, Zoetis has also introduced advanced technology that allows poultry farmers to vaccinate their chickens even before they hatch.”
“This is the first time that such a machine will be available in Thailand. It is now in use in some of the world’s most advanced economies and introduces industrial scale productivity to replace the very labor-intensive process of vaccinating live chickens,” Songwut added.
About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting customers and businesses focused on raising and caring for livestock and companion animals. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. The company generated annual revenues of US$4.3 billion (approximately Bht 128,000 million) in 2012. It has more than 9,300 employees worldwide and a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for livestock and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com
Media Contacts
Tida Sunyapredakul
Zoetis (Thailand) Limited
Tel: 0-2636 5200
Kanthicha Bunphokaew
Bangkok Public Relations Ltd.
Tel: 0-2664 9500 (Ext. 112)