Crackdown on Illegal Beta-Agonist Network in Thai Livestock

Thansettakij•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai authorities dismantled a beta-agonist network, seizing 967 cattle and assets worth over 32 million baht.

•The operation was a collaboration between the Department of Livestock Development and the Police Crime Suppression Division.
•Authorities seized 967 cattle and assets valued at 32,366,240 baht.
•Financial investigations revealed a money circulation of over 80 million baht from the beta-agonist distributors.
•The operation prevented over 125 tons of affected cattle and beef from entering the food chain.

•The Phra Phirun Joint Command Center for Agricultural and Food Security (SPRN) integrated relevant agencies to intercept illegal agricultural products, specifically beta-agonists.
•The operation was conducted continuously for over 8 months, covering the entire production chain from origin to end-market.
•Authorities found illegal beta-agonist use in beef, livestock farms, and animal feed, resulting in the seizure of 967 cattle and 32,366,240 baht in assets.
•Financial tracking of beta-agonist distributors revealed a money circulation exceeding 80 million baht.
•The crackdown prevented more than 125 tons of affected cattle and beef from entering the public food chain.
•Dr. Somchuan Rattanamangklanon stated that beta-agonists like salbutamol are dangerous substances prohibited in animal feed as they can cause heart arrhythmia, tremors, and death in high-risk consumers.
•Authorities are continuing to investigate the distribution networks to identify the masterminds for legal prosecution.

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Sorawut Nuengjamnong(สรวุฒิ เนื่องจำนงค์)

Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Commander of the Phra Phirun Joint Command Center for Agricultural and Food Security.

Suriya Jungrungreangkit(สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ)ℹ️

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives who ordered the crackdown on illegal agricultural products.

Nattasak Chaowanasai(ณัฐศักดิ์ เชาวนาศัย)

Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau who supervised the operation.

Somchuan Rattanamangklanon(สัตวแพทย์สมชวน รัตนมังคลานนท์)

Director General of the Department of Livestock Development.

Phra Phirun Joint Command Center for Agricultural and Food Security(ศูนย์อำนวยการร่วมพิทักษ์ความมั่นคงทางเกษตรและอาหารพระพิรุณ)

The agency tasked with integrating efforts to intercept illegal agricultural products.

Department of Livestock Development(กรมปศุสัตว์)

An agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives collaborating in the crackdown.

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)

The government ministry overseeing the operation against illegal beta-agonists.

Consumer Protection Police Division(กองบังคับการปราบปรามการกระทำความผิดเกี่ยวกับการคุ้มครองผู้บริโภค)

The police unit collaborating with the Department of Livestock Development in the operation.