Ex-post Evaluation

1. Outline of the Project

Country:

Thailand

Project title:

The Research Project on the Quality Development of Fishery Products

Issue/Sector:

Fishery

Cooperation Scheme:

Project-Type Technical Cooperation

Division in Charge:

Forestry and Natural Environment Department

Total Cost:

Period of Cooperation

March 1994 – March 1999

Partner Country’s Implementing Organization:

Fishery Technological Development Division and Fish Inspection and Quality Control Division, Department of Fisheries

Supporting Organization in Japan:

Related Cooperation:

1-1 Background of the Project

Fishery products in Thailand have not only been an important source of food for Thai people, but also a source of foreign currency earnings. However, recently, hazardous substances such as food preservatives and chemical residue found in fishery products and processed products have become a serious problem pertaining to food safety both in daily consumption and in terms of exports. Demands were made to improve the techniques of quality control and hazardous substances examination for fishery products and processed products. In light of the above-mentioned situation, the government of Thailand requested Project-type Technical Cooperation to Fishery Technological Development Division (FTDD) and Fish Inspection and Quality Control Division (FIQD) from the government of Japan to improve quality control techniques and systems.

1-2 Project Overview

This Project aimed at improving the research capability of FTDD and inspection capabilities of FIQD. Various inspection and analytical techniques were transferred to the researchers and staff at FTDD and FIQD.

(1) Overall Goal
Assure consumers including importers that fishery products of Thailand have been processed in an appropriate and wholesome manner.

(2) Project Purpose
Improve the quality control techniques in each step of fishery processed during and after processing.

(3) Outputs
1) Some techniques of FIQD in analyzing contaminants/additives in fishery processed products are strengthened.
2) The research activities of FTDI in analyzing contaminants/additives in fishery processed seafood products are strengthened.
3) The factory inspection system for quality control of fishery processed products is improved.

(4) Inputs

2. Evaluation Team

Members of Evaluation Team

Team Consulting Engineering and Management Co., Ltd. (Commissioned to a local consultant)

Period of Evaluation

December 11, 2002 – February 8, 2003

Type of Evaluation:

Ex-post Evaluation by Overseas Office

3. Results of Evaluation

3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results

(1) Impact
Criteria such as a factory’s hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) can be used to measure the quality of fishery products. FTDD and FIQD are drawing up accreditation criteria for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), providing help in preparing HACCP manuals, and giving technical guidance to factories through factory inspections. These efforts on the part of the administration and improved awareness of quality management and food sanitation on the part of the factories have recently led to a rapid increase in the number of factories receiving GMP and HACCP accreditations. The GMP-accredited factories increased from 158 in 1998/1999 (when the Project was completed) to 211 in 2001/2002. In the same period, HACCP-accredited factories increased from 142 to 193. With the rise in the number of factories satisfying the quality control criteria, the number of factories failing inspections has decreased—from 2. 0% to 1.8% in the same period.

The improvement in FIQD’s testing capabilities boosted the importing countries’ faith in the inspection agency. At the time of the Project’s completion, 12 importing countries recognized FIQD as a “competent authority.” Since then, 12 more countries have approved FIQD as having such a role, showing a high approval rate of its inspection capabilities. Through this Project, FIQD received a great deal of advanced equipment, and is able to inspect a greater variety of aspects. Such improved inspection capabilities have enabled FIQD to respond to importing countries’ changes in inspection criteria. The results, to some extent, have affected inspection agencies and technicians in neighboring countries, through such means as FIQD training on quality control being held in six neighboring countries.

In a tie-up with the Thai government’s “one village, one product” campaign, FTDD helped 65 fishery production groups in 45 provinces by giving them advice on quality control and product development. The equipment donated and inspection technique introduced in this Project were very helpful, particularly in terms of quality control.

(2) Sustainability
FIQD’s annual inspection rate was about 30,000 at the completion of the Project. This number rose to 400,000 in the current fiscal year. Also, at the completion of the Project, about 326 factory inspections were conducted annually, and this increased to 571 by this fiscal year. The number of sample inspections rose. The equipment donated in this Project is used effectively on a daily basis for the inspections. After the Project was completed, six pieces of analytical equipment were introduced to handle the increasing sample inspections. However, GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) has not yet been introduced due to lack of funds. Furthermore, crosschecks with other inspection agencies were not carried out. One of the reasons for this is the Thai people’s hesitation to conduct crosschecks with other agencies.

Regarding FTDD, after the Project was completed, its aid to small businesses has become augmented. FTDD provided technical aid and manuals to help efforts to strengthen the quality control of fishery producer groups, as part of the government’s “one village, one product” campaign. Regarding the equipment, 119 pieces of equipment were donated during the Project, and almost all are currently operable, with the exception of a few pieces that are out of order. After the Project was completed, 31 pieces of equipment were purchased under the FTDD’s budget. The equipment budget amount was maintained after the Project was completed, but the large amount of provided equipment has led to high maintenance costs. At the time of the Project’s completion, 12 reports were prepared annually, but this has decreased gradually, and only three papers were prepared in this fiscal year. FTDD occasionally conducts educational campaigns by distributing leaflets and posters, writing newspaper articles, and other educational activities through the media, but once the Project was over, the scope and frequency of these activities decreased. As with crosschecks, they are not being implemented by FIQD.

FTDD and FIQD both have high retention rates for counterpart personnel, but the number of staff has been fixed as part of one of the government’s measures to cut fiscal spending. As a result, they cannot hire new junior-level staff, and have to cope with the problem of staff shortages by hiring personnel on a temporary basis.

3-2 Factors that Promoted the Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A

(2) Factors Concerning the Implementation Process
The government is pushing its “one village, one product” campaign as part of its effort to revitalize regional areas. The resulting increases in the need for fishery processed products development in rural areas have caused FTDD’s product development and quality control techniques to be utilized to foster the industry in rural villages.

3-3 Factors that Impeded the Realization of Effects

(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A

(2) Factors Concerning to the Implementation Process
Affiliations with other agencies necessary to ensure the quality control of Thailand’s fishery processed products are still weak. Even if FIQD detects residue exceeding an acceptable level, the Department of Fisheries cannot take much action. Affiliations with related bodies such as the Ministry of Health should be strengthened. Also, it is important that quality control is carried out not only during processing and after the processing, but also during the harvesting and production processes. Strengthened affiliations with related departments within the Department of Fisheries are necessary.

3-4 Conclusion

The improvements made in quality control through this Project have been maintained and continue to be built upon. FIQD’s inspection ability is highly praised by importing countries. Improvements are being made in fishery processors’ quality control and their food sanitation level through establishment of factory authorization standard and provision of technical assistance. Further, FTDD has been using the Project results to provide aid to small and medium sized businesses. However, as inspection agencies, improving their analytical accuracy is the most important issue, and this should be actualized by introducing GLP and carrying out crosschecks.

3-5 Recommendations

(1) When samples do not pass inspections, it is necessary to work with other administrative agencies to prevent reoccurrence.

(2) It is necessary to respond to the requests made by factories that shorter time is taken between the time sample is sent and the results are delivered.

(3) FIQD must augment its equipment and staff in order to raise its capabilities in handling inspections.

3-6 Lessons Learned

N/A

3-7 Follow-up Situation

N/A