THAI AGRICULTURAL STANDARD  
GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR PIG FARM   
1.  SCOPE   
1.1  This Thai Agricultural Standard established good agricultural practices for pig farm 
as defined in Section 2.1 . It covers requirements on farm components , farm management , 
personnel, animal health, animal welfare, environment and data record ing so that  
the pigs are suitable for further raising or using as food , taking into account  food 
safety, animal health, animal welfare and  the environment.   
1.2  This Thai Agricultural  Standard is applied to  farms where pig s with the scientific 
name of Sus scrofa , both domesticated and wild, are raised.    
2.  DEFINITION   
 For the purpose of this standard:  
2.1  Pig farm means an establishment where either boars, sows, nursery pigs, finisher 
pigs, or any combination s are raised.  
3.  REQUIREMENTS   
3.1 Farm components   
3.1.1  Location   
 Principle   
 Site selection is essential for the establish ment  of a pig farm. Consideration shall be 
given to potential contamination of physical, chemical a nd biological hazards from 
the environment; convenient  transportation;  suitability and availability of water 
resources.  The purpose is to ensure that there will be no adverse effect 
to animal  health and welfare , ability to transport pigs, feed, medical sup plies, tools 
and equipment .  Additionally, there  will be no problem on shortage of water supply . 
3.1.1.1   Evidence showing  consent  to operate farm by  local authority shall be available .   TAS 6403 -XXXX  TAS 6403 -XXXX                     2  
 
 3.1.1. 2  The farm shall be located in an area away from the environm ental risk of contamination   
of physical, chemical and biological hazards, such as industrial plants, dumping 
sites, which may pose threat to pig and human health  including  animal  welfare . 
Otherwise, appropriate  risk management  measures shall be in place.  
3.1.1. 3  Farm shall be located in an area where transportation route s are available for transport   
of pigs , feed, medical supplies, and tools and equipment . It shall not be situated  
in a flood -prone area.   
3.1.1.4  Farm shall have adequate supply of clea n water.  
3.1.2    Farm design and layout   
 Principle   
 Appropriate farm layout and  area arrangement  inside  the farm will help prevent 
contamination , enhance efficient farm operations , and avoid any adverse effects 
against animal health and welfare , as wel l as the environment . 
3.1.2.1   Farm shall have sufficient area appropriate  for pig raising , not too crowded to cause 
any problem s to the environment, animal health and welfare.    
3.1.2.2  Farm shall have fences or natural barriers that are able to control e ntry and exit  
of human s and to prevent other animals  from outside . 
3.1.2. 3   Farm layout shall be designed to facilitate operation in a hygienic manner . Areas 
shall be separately alloca ted for each activity, such as areas for animal raising ,  
feed storage , isolation and treatment of sick animal, garbage  and manure collection, 
carcass disposal and selling of pig s. Office and residential areas shall be separately 
allocated from animal raising area.   
3.1.2.4   Measures shall be in place for prevention of other  animals entering production areas. 
Entry and exit of humans shall be controlled th rough designated entry/exit points  
to prevent cross -contamination.   3 TAS 6403 -XXXX  
 
 3.1.3  Hous e  
 Principle   
 Pig house  with sturdy structure, hygienic design, sufficient space and proper  
management of suitable environment for pig raising will enhance pig health and welfare.  
3.1.3.1  Pig houses shall be  structurally  sturdy , hygien ic, well ventilated and easy for clean ing  
and maintenance .  
3.1.3.2  Pig h ouses shall ha ve sufficient space fo r pig raising with a good environmental 
condition inside the house corresponding to breed, size and age  of pigs .  
3.1.3.3  In the case of enclosed houses  of which environment condition s (i.e.,  temperature, 
humidity , ventilation and light ) are controlled , alarm system  and a ppropriate measure s 
for dealing with power failure or automatic equipment  breakdown shall be in place .    
3.2  Farm management  
3.2.1  Farm manual  
 Principle   
 Farm m anual providing  details of the essential operations in a pig farm will guide 
personnel to perform their tasks properly according to  the operating procedure  
and enhance the effective management of a pig farm .  
3.2.1 .1 Farm manual shall be made available to provide details of essential operations for pig  
farm ing as follows:   
 1) House preparation prior the receiving of pigs for raising  
2) Farm management  
3) Pig raising systems  
4) Feed and water management for pigs  
5) House , tools  and equipment cleaning and maintenance  
6) Pig health management  
7) Pest control  
8) Sanitation and  environment management  
9) Animal welfare  management  
10) Data r ecord ing  
3.2.1.2  Essential procedures and work instructions shall be documented.  TAS 6403 -XXXX                     4  
 
 3.2.2  Feed and water management  
 Principle   
 Management to provide pigs with a good quality of feed and water  in a sufficient 
amount to meet the ir needs will promote their health and welfare.  
3.2.2 .1 Feed used, shall be of good quality, safe, suitable  for pig raising  in accordance with 
the Animal Feed Quality Control Act B.E.  2558 (2015 ). 
3.2.2.2  Prohibited subst ances stipulated by the Animal Feed Quality Control Act B.E.  2558 
(2015 ) shall not be used.  
3.2.2.3  The use of medicated feed shall be under the supervision of farm veterinarian . 
Medicated feed shall be kept separately from other general feed and provided with 
clear label/ signage. 
3.2.2.4  Preliminary examination on physical appearance of feed quality shall be conducted.  
3.2.2. 5  Feed containers and feeding equipment shall be suitable  to age, size and number  
of pigs and shall be placed where all pigs can ac cess to feed.  
3.2.2. 6 Storage facilities for feed and raw materials shall be  clean, well ventilated , able to 
prevent moisture , development of mo ulds and stored pest . Feed and raw materials 
shall be stored separately from tools and  equipment  and toxic chemi cals.   
3.2.2. 7 First in – first out rule for stored feed shall be practiced.  
3.2.2. 8 Water used on farm shall be prevented from contamination of hazard s. Otherwise,  
measures for water quality improvement before use shall be in place.  
3.2.2. 9    Clean water shall be available and accessible for every pig.  
3.2.3  Management and maintenance of h ousing, tool s and equipment  
 Principle   
 Managing practices to keep pig houses, tools and equipment clean will reduce the 
accumulation of pathogens. In addition, m aintenance of pig houses, tools and 
equipment in a good condition and ready for use will enhance efficient operations 
and safety of both pigs and personnel.   5 TAS 6403 -XXXX  
 
 3.2.3.1  Pig houses, tools and equipment shall be cleaned in a hygienic manner and maintained   
in a good condition  and ready for use so as not to cause any harm to both pigs  
and personnel .  
3.2.3.2  Pig manure shall be removed , and pig house shall be thoroughly cleaned to prevent 
accumulation of manure inside the house and its surroundings .  
3.2.3. 3 Pens, tools and equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected  after removing 
pigs from the house . Pig house shall be kept vacant  for a certain period of time ,  
as specified  by the Department of Livestock Development, before restocking a new 
lot of pig s.   
3.2.3.4  Appropriate measures for pest control and eradication shall be in place.  
3.3  Personnel  
 Principle  
 Personnel having  knowledge and ability  capable to perform their tasks and duties ,  
with good personal hygiene and good health , will enhance the effectiveness of farm 
operation s and proper care of pigs for their health and welfare.    
3.3.1  Farm shall have enough personnel whose  tasks and responsibilities are clearly 
defined taking into consideration number of pigs raised.  
3.3.2    Personnel shal l have  knowledge and ability  suitable for  the jobs. Those  responsible 
for pig raising shall have knowledge from  training or on -the-job training.  
3.3.3   Farm shall have  a licensed veterinarian certified by the Department of Livestock 
Development for the supervision of pig farm.  
3.3.4 Personnel shall have good  personal hygiene and receive annual health check -up, 
including  important zoonotic diseases.   
3.3.5  Measures shall be in place to prevent contamination of pathogens into the production 
areas through per sonnel, e.g. , providing operators  with shower facilities,  appropriate 
clothing and footwear.  
3.3.6  Personnel who have been sick from contagious diseases  which may cause 
contamination to the production system , shall  not be allowed to work in pig hous es. 
  TAS 6403 -XXXX                     6  
 
 3.4   Animal health  
3.4.1 Disease prevention and control  
  Principle   
  Disease prevention and control measures (e.g., biosecurity, proper immunity 
enhancement ) and compliance  with the Animal Epidemics Act, B.E. 2558 (2015 )  
 are essential  for pig health . They will efficien tly prevent  and control  pathogen 
transmission  via persons , animals,  and vehicle s.  
3.4.1.1 Biosecurity measures shall be in place  to appropriately prevent and control diseases. 
Implementation of th ose measures shall be under the supervi sion of farm 
veterinar ian or a person who has been assigned by the farm veterinarian .   
3.4.1.2 Measures to prevent introduction of diseases via incoming lot of pigs shall be  in place .   
3.4.1.3 Introduction of diseases via vehicles, tools and equipment and  any person s shall be 
prevented and controlled prior to  entry and exit .  Every entry and exit shall be 
recorded for the purpose of traceability .  
3.4.1.4 Programmes for vaccination  and elimination of internal and external parasites shall be   
in place, and implemented  under supervision of farm veterinar ian. 
3.4.1.5 In case of a disease outbreak or suspicion of an outbreak , measures complying with 
the Animal Epidemic Act, B.E . 2558 (2015 ) and recommendation s of the Department   
of Livestock Development shall b e followed.   
3.4.2 Animal disease t herapy   
  Principle  
 Animal disease therapy under supervision of farm veterinar ian is essential  to ensure 
that pigs receive  proper disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention without any adverse  
effect  to their health a nd welfare , and to consumers’ health.   
3.4.2.1 Animal disease therapy shall be supervised by a farm veterinar ian and carried out  
in accordance with the Veterinary Profession Act, B.E. 2545 (2002) and the Drug Act , 
B.E. 2510  (1967).   
3.4.2.2 Injection sha ll be conducted in such a way that no part of broken needle is left  in any 
animal ’s body . In case such problem occurs,  corrective action shall be in place.     7 TAS 6403 -XXXX  
 
 3.5 Animal welfare  
 Principle  
 Animal welfare principles shall be taken into consideration in pig raising 
management, to let them express their natural behaviours , to enhance their well -being   
and not to cause any suffering.  
3.5.1 Pigs shall be  raised and taken care of  in a proper condition, with good hygienic 
practices, and provided with  adequate l iving space, feed and water  in compliance 
with the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act, B.E. 2557 (2014).  
3.5.2  In case  any pigs are sick, injured, or disable d, and treatment s have failed , euthanasia 
shall be considered to prevent  any further su ffering. It shall be conducted under 
supervision of farm veterinar ian or person who has been assigned  by the farm 
veterinar ian. 
3.6 Environment  
 Principle  
 Disposal of carcass, garbage, waste and wastewater  from pig farms will affect  
the environment. Th erefore, proper practices are required .   
3.6.1 Garbage and w aste shall be collected in a covered trash can  and disposed of  
by appropriate and hygienic methods . 
3.6.2 Methods to dispose of i nfected and hazardous waste  separately from general garbage  
shall  be in place.  
3.6.3 Pig carcass es shall be disposed  of and destroyed by appropriate methods at the discretion  
of farm veterinar ian. 
3.6.4 Wastewater treatment system shall be in place to improve quality of discharged water .  
The discharged water shall be i n accordance with the notification s of the Ministry of 
Natural Resources and Environment entitled, “Designation of pig farms as a pollution 
source which effluent to public water resource or environment must be controlled. ” and 
“Effluent control standard fr om pig farms”. 
3.6.5 Pig manure management and nuisance odour prevention shall be in place.  TAS 6403 -XXXX                     8  
 
 3.7 Data r ecord ing  
 Principle  
 Data recording and record keeping are essential to investigat e causes of problems  
or management  errors , and to  trace whether each step of the operations conform s 
with the established  procedure  or not.  
3.7.1 Data on essential  operations affecting animal health, disease control, animal 
production and environment management  shall  be recorded  as follows;  
 1) Pig information , e.g. , identi fication number, age, sex, breed, breeding  history , 
parturition , vaccination and treatment ;  
2) Feed and water management , e.g. , sources  and provisions of feed and water ; 
3) Receiv ing of p igs showing  their s ource s;  
4) Selling and distribution of pigs ; 
5) Entry  and exit of persons  and vehicles ; 
6) Usage of chemical agents, disinfectants,  or pesticides ;  
 7) Application of vaccine s and veterinary drugs , e.g., veterinary  drug prescription , 
authorization form  of veterinary drug usage ; 
8) Personnel record s, e.g ., personal information , training or on-the-job training  
record s, responsibilities, and result s of annual health check -up;  
9) Waste water treatment  record s  
3.7.2 Records shall be kept for at least 3 years.