February 16, 2016

Thailand livestock sector uneasy about TPP

Thailand's livestock sector fears the high standards and labour and environmental conditions set by the US and Canada under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free-trade pact could lead to indirect trade barriers, The Nation newspaper reported.

The Thai daily said over 10 livestock industry associations formally asked the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, Feb. 16, to give details of the TPP's potential negative impacts on livestock.

Surachai Sudhitham, president of the National Swine Raisers Association, said the associations were more inclined to join the Asean Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP.

"We'd like to reiterate that the livestock sector gives its full support for the government to go ahead with the Asean Plus 6 deal or RCEP that could not bring danger to all Thailand's industries. This is because each member country's economic factors do not differ much," he said.

Thailand is debating whether to join the TPP, which includes the US, Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam.