Bangkok: "Watcharaphol" revealed that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture is considering an MOU for the purchase of raw milk, hoping to solve the problem of milk overstocking. He clarified that the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DFPO) selling expired milk is not for consumption.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Watcharaphol Khaokham, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, addressed the issue of the surplus milk stock at the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO), stating that he had instructed Mr. Teerachai Saengkaew, an advisor to the Deputy Minister, to convene an urgent meeting to examine the details and determine the feasibility of any action. He explained that in the past, DPO's (or Thai-Denmark) milk was categorized into three zones: yellow (near expiry), red (expired), and green (still with a long shelf life). Due to continuous losses over several years, DPO has a large surplus in its warehouses. However, the expired milk could be utilized in various ways, such as being used as fertilizer by the Department of Rice and the Rubber Authority of Thailand. The DPO incurs costs in disposing of and transporting the expired milk. He affirmed that DPO management intends to utilize the expired milk, not sell it for consumption.
Regarding the suggestion from Ms. Watcharee Wannasri, Director of the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO), to avoid signing an additional MOU to prevent milk overstocking, Mr. Watcharapol stated that, as the person overseeing the DPO, he understands that they currently receive more raw milk than stipulated in the MOU, approximately 400 tons per day. Meanwhile, actual usage, including sales and school milk quotas, is around 300 tons, with an additional 80 tons needing to be received. This milk is used in UHT milk production and stored in warehouses, creating a cycle of milk falling into green, yellow, and red quotas. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who oversees the matter, is reviewing whether amending the MOU is feasible, provided it does not negatively impact dairy farmers, an occupation bestowed by the King. He assured that the DPO, through the Ministry's urgent action, will ensure that dairy farmers are not negatively affected.