Thailand's Current Quarantine Status on Aquatic Animal Diseases

Somkiat Kanchanakhan

Inland Aquatic Animal Health Research Institute, Bureau of Inland Fisheries Research and Development, Department of Fisheries, Paholyothin Rd., Jatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

ABSTRACT

An awareness of aquatic animal diseases spread through an international trade has been increasing since the first edition of OIE on Aquatic Animal Health Code in 1995. How to control the diseases through an international trade and a development of national strategy for controlling the diseases had been discussed in great details among representative from 21 Asian governments during a three-year (1998-2000) seminar and workshop program organized by NACA. 

As part of the region, the strategic plans for aquatic animal health management in Thailand have been developed. Presently, Thailand has over 19 import/export regulations announced through Emergency Decree, Royal Decree, Ministerial Regulation, Notification or Rule to control the movement of certain aquatic animals both from importation and exportation. The aquatic animal disease quarantine enforcement is based on the Animal Epidemic Act (1947). 

The Department of Fisheries has developed an importation of live aquatic animals under quarantine enforcement framework, which is based on disease control program and disease surveillance. The quarantine measures include pre-arrival, arrival at the entry port and post-arrival of aquatic animals that will be discussed.