Monkey free certification launched in Thailand for coconut products amid Peta allegations

Striving to counter allegations of animal cruelty, the Department of Agriculture in Thailand has announced the launch of a new certification system, Monkey Free Plus (MFP), for coconut products not harvested by monkeys. This move comes in response to claims put forward by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), which has negatively impacted the export of Thai coconuts and related products to the United States, Canada, Europe, and other markets. These revelations were shared by the department’s director-general, Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs.

In July, a consortium of coconut milk producers implored the government to respond to these allegations and hire a lobbyist to protect the industry’s interests. These appeals were triggered by accusations claiming the mistreatment of monkeys used in Thailand’s coconut harvesting process.

Peta…