Monkey Free Plus
Regarding to the concern of PETA in using monkey labour in harvesting of coconut in Thailand, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) has paid highly attention to this and has lunched the pilot project that is called “GAP Monkey Free Plus” in coconut planting area in the end of 2022 in order to ensure food safety production of coconut according to Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and verify that the farms do not use monkey labour in harvesting of coconut. The pilot project divided into two parts, including:
1.Coconut farms
On the basis of “Thai Agricultural Standard (TAS) – Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) in Food Crop or TAS 9001” that is the national GAP standard of Thailand, which a voluntary standard and equivalented to ASEAN GAP. DOA, GAP and Organic Certification Body (CB), has developed the GAP Monkey Free Plus certification system by issuing “the Notification of DOA on preventing monkey labour in harvesting of coconut” and drafted the criteria, checklist, SOP and certificate for certification the farms as follow:
Figure 1 The Notification of DOA related to GAP Monkey Free Plus
Figure 2 Process for monkey free plus certification
We have divided the coconut farms into two kinds, including:
1) New farms: new farm is the farm that has never got GAP certificate. In this case, the auditor team of local Center of Agricultural Research and Development of DOA will conduct an on-site initial audit for coconut farms that submitted application by using GAP checklist and Monkey Free Plus checklist. If the farms meet all requirements, it will be obtained GAP certificate and Monkey Free Plus certificate that valid for three years;
2) Old farms: old farm is the farm that has already got valid GAP certificate. In this case, the auditor team of local Center of Agricultural Research and Development of DOA will conduct an on-site surveillance audit or reassessment audit for coconut farms by using GAP checklist and Monkey Free Plus checklist. If the farms meet all requirements, it will be obtained Monkey Free Plus certificate that validity is the same to the rest validity period of GAP certificate.
In conclusion, the Monkey Free Plus certificate can be used for demonstration when the farmers would like to sell their coconut produces to the coconut production and processing enterprises to ensure coconut produces sourced from GAP farm and free from using monkey in their harvesting period. DOA has certified Monkey Free Plus for 4,151 coconut farms 44,473.70 Rai (or 7,115.73 Hectare) until 31 December 2023, and we are continually trying to expand our Monkey Free Plus certification.
Figure 3 Principle of GAP
Figure 4 the GAP certificate
Figure 5 the Monkey Free Plus certificate
Figure 6 the checklist for conducting an on-site assessment for coconut farm
Figure 7 DOA launching the GAP Monkey Free Plus project
Figure 8 DOA launching the GAP Monkey Free Plus project
Figure 9 DOA launching the GAP Monkey Free Plus project in Southern, Thailand
Figure 10 meeting with coconut farmers and privet sector
2.Coconut production and processing enterprises
DOA has widely promoted the GAP Monkey Free Plus Project to related coconut production and processing enterprises. Now, there have 10 enterprises attended to the project, including:
1) Theppadungporn Co., Ltd.
2) Thai Coconut Public Co., Ltd.
3) Vara Food and Drink CO., Ltd.
4) Suree Interfoods Co.,Ltd.
5) Asiatic Agro Industry Co., Ltd.
6) Malee Group Public Co., Ltd.
7) Universal Food Public Co.,Ltd.
8) NC Coconut Co.,Ltd.
9) K FRESH Co., Ltd.
10) Ninthongtae Coconut Co., Ltd.
we have already drafted the concept for registration of the enterprises that would like to show the Monkey Free Plus logo on their products as follow:
Figure 11 (Draft) Procedure for MFP registration of production and processing enterprises
Figure 12 (Draft) Production and processing procedure for MFP coconut products
The primarily requirement is that the enterprises shall obtain at least Good Manufacturing Practices (or GMP) certificate to make sure that their will have quality and safety control systems and traceability systems. The enterprises mentioned above have to submit application form to DOA for the Monkey Free Plus production and processing license. Then, we will check the documents and conduct on-site assessment if necessary. If the enterprises meet the requirements, they will get the license that valid for 3 years, and can show the logo of Monkey Free Plus together with their registration number on the label of product’s packaging to use for traceability. During that DOA will conduct annually monitoring program.
3.Patent for Monkey Free Plus’s logo
With aim to promote the GAP Monkey Free Plus project to international level, and to create consumers awareness, DOA has already registered the patent for Monkey Free Plus’s logo from the Ministry of Commerce since April 2023.
Figure 13 Monkey Free Plus’s logo