The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives (MOAC) of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for agricultural cooperation on 7 February 2023 at DEFRA’s London-based office.
Lucy Smith, Director General for Strategy of DEFRA, attended the signing ceremony, and Mr. Prayoon Inskul, Permanent Secretary of MOAC, represented their respective departments. The MoU seeks to facilitate cooperation between the UK and Thailand in matters of mutual interest and concern. It aims to encourage technical collaboration, promote agricultural trade, and reduce non-tariff barriers between the two countries.
Under the MoU, both countries will benefit from exchanges of visits, information, technology, and training, focusing on agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, aquaculture, food processing, and agricultural policy. The discussions during the signing ceremony centered on the significance of the inaugural UK-Thailand Agriculture Dialogue, market access interests, and areas of interest for future cooperation.
The signing of the MoU is expected to help address the fresh produce shortages in the UK by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise in the agricultural industry. It will also give Thailand access to the UK market for its agricultural products and promote sustainable farming practices. In addition, the MoU will provide a platform for ongoing cooperation between the two countries, allowing them to share best practices and work towards common goals.
Photo by Reinaldo Sture on Unsplash
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