March 24, 2008

Thailand attempts to stop pig smuggling
 

Thailand has ordered its custom checkpoints to keep their eyes open for smuggled pigs.

The Ministry of Commerce has said that more than 97,000 tonnes of pigs have been smuggled to neighbouring countries, according to the director-general of the Customs Department, Wisut Srisuphan, who had instructed the checkpoints to monitor the smuggling situation.

Nationwide custom checkpoints, especially those in the northeastern provinces, have therefore increased measures to stop pig smuggling in border zones.

Wisut said the custom checkpoints of Thailand and neighbouring countries are in close cooperation in preventing illegal pig imports and exports.

In addition, Wisut proposed that the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives should discuss the pros and cons of tax reduction for feed meal import. A 4 percent tax reduction for imported feed meal will decrease the department's revenue by more than THB 800 million (US$25.6 million), according to Wisut.