June 11, 2013

Thailand swine raisers have gathered in protest of speculated import of pork from the US.

Swine Raisers Association of Thailand leader Surachai Suthitham said on Monday (Jun 3) an estimated 2,000 swine raisers from various provinces throughout the country will peacefully protest outside Government House and call on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to ban any import of US pork because, he said, it might otherwise push the local swine raisers out of business.

The prices of the imported pork will almost certainly undercut those of the domestic pork, given relatively low production costs in the US, particularly the low prices of soy and corn -- major feeds for the US swine, according to Surachai Suthitham. In addition, the US government had provided subsidy for its swine raisers, he said.

While the domestic pork currently sells for US$4.5/kilogramme in Thailand, the imported pork from the US might sell only for US$3.3/kilogramme, according to the latest report of the association.

"The US government had pressed for the Thai government to allow the import of the US meat and the swine's organs which the Americans do not consume, such as heads, legs and entrails.

"The US pork will not only undercut the prices in competition with the domestic pork but will likely cause an over-supply problem on the Thai market," he said.

He also charged that the US pork might contain swine influenza which could be hazardous to consumers.