Commerce Ministry To Forbid Moving And Exporting Pigs

[george]

Commerce Ministry to forbid moving and exporting pigs

BANGKOK: -- In an attempt to curtail the rising price of pork in Thailand, the Commerce Ministry on Tuesday will forbid moving pigs out of their zones as well as imposing a ban on export of live pigs to neighboring countries, a senior ministry official said Saturday.

Yanyong Phuangrach, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said Mingkwan Saengsuwan, deputy prime minister and commerce minister, would announce the order Tuesday and it would remain effective until the price of pork returns to normal.

Moving swine from one district to another, especially in the 26 border provinces, need permission from provincial commercial officials first, according to Mr. Yanyong.

Violators face a maximum five-year imprisonment or a fine of Bt100,000 or both, he said.

Admitting that the price of piglets has risen abnormally, especially since January, Mr. Yanyong said he had ordered both major swine producers as well as small farmers to submit their production costs to the department.

If the production costs are found to be exaggerated, producers will be asked to lower prices to the reasonable level, he said.

Mr. Yanyong insisted that pork retail price at Bt98 per kilogram, fixed by the Ministry and now available at some markets and malls, would be available to consumers for at least another two months and prices of pork would fall to a reasonable level after the Ministry has solved pig problems.

Soybean and other feed producers will be invited for talks with the Internal Trade Department officials next week on the impact from import duty imposed on soybeans, he added.

--TNA 2008-03-15

[LaoPo]

How can the small pig farmers survive ?

LaoPo

[londonthai]

if no pigs can be moved, than pork will be.

there is no 'normal' price of pork, the more expensive it is, there would be more farmers rising pigs. Export is good for an economy, because it gives work for the semiemployed farmers and cash for imports.

as it's not an essential food, pork should not be subsidised. Consumers simply will switch to beef, chicken, fish, soya or vegetables.

[digitele]

So, Samak can't go overseas?

[Ijustwannateach]

"solve pig problems?!?"

[Martin]

When I have see the Highway 2 Police letting pass speeding cars (like mine), but stopping pickups with van-type bodies, I have assumed that they were looking for Lao-worker smugglers.

Piglet smuggling must be on their list, too, now, I guess!!

The Chinese Government had to face the possibility of riots over the risen price of pork last year.

But it is a straightforward knock-on effect from the shortage/rising price of oil, and basically unstoppable, other than by persuading people to cut down on their consumption of it.

[sriracha john]

It's raised the dander of the pig farmers.....

Swine raisers contest export ban

Chairman of the Swine Raisers Cooperative of Chonburi Wanchai Assawapanimit commented on the new Finance Ministry's restriction to move pigs and pork products across borders to neighboring countries which is set to take effect tomorrow.

It is causing increased imposition on swine raisers, he stated, adding that previously, pork producers were barred from exporting their products on March 14th despite many export contracts being established.

Mr. Wanchai affirmed that exports occurring with neighboring countries are legitimate as well as assuring that there are sufficient amounts of pork in the nation. He made known that even with exports, the Kingdom will have enough pork to satisfy demand year round, because Thai swine raisers are efficient and have the potential to be a leading in pork production.

The swine raisers Chairman alluded to the fact that Thailand's cheapest pork product is 60 baht, while other nations, such as Myanmar charge 60-70 baht, Vietnam at 75 baht and China as high as 90 baht.

Mr. Wanchai added that although domestic pork sale prices have risen, they do not counter balance the ever-rising price of animal feed and care. He stated that he is ready to discuss the revamping of the swine raising system with Finance Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan.

- ThaiNews

[sriracha john]

Chairman of the Swine Raisers Cooperative of Chonburi

sorry... but that deserves repeating

[Ricardo]

Mr. Wanchai affirmed that exports occurring with neighboring countries are legitimate as well as assuring that there are sufficient amounts of pork in the nation. He made known that even with exports, the Kingdom will have enough pork to satisfy demand year round, because Thai swine raisers are efficient and have the potential to be a leading in pork production.

Hub of Porker porkies, anybody ?

The swine raisers Chairman alluded to the fact that Thailand's cheapest pork product is 60 baht, while other nations, such as Myanmar charge 60-70 baht, Vietnam at 75 baht and China as high as 90 baht.

- ThaiNews

Perhaps if Thailand's price were competitive, there would be no need to ban the export, of a basic commodity food-stuff ? But that would help raise the income of the poor farmer, which cannot be permitted, under this government.

Edited March 16, 2008 by Ricardo

[slapout]

What no government appointed group to study porker movements within Thai borders and smuggleing outside? The news articles presented above go a long way in showing the experience, logical thinking and common sense of Thai politics. Where is Ag. Minister during all of this decision making? I notice the fine for not following the orders, law, recomendation, decree or whatever they are, is in print but who enforces and collects same? I am very encourged after reading that the Commerce Ministry is going to solve the porker problem. Wonder who is going to point out the specific problem to be solved? Maybe the Ministry of Air and Transport.......

[Scott]

This export ban is not a good idea. It seems they want the farmers to be happy, but don't want them enriching themselves--that's the territory of the politicians and BKK elite!

[LaoPo]

This export ban is not a good idea. It seems they want the farmers to be happy, but don't want them enriching themselves--that's the territory of the politicians and BKK elite!

"In an attempt to curtail the rising price of pork in Thailand, the Commerce Ministry on Tuesday will forbid moving pigs out of their zones as well as imposing a ban on export of live pigs to neighboring countries,..."

I wonder how long it will take for the Ministry to change that 'ban' since the hi-so will complain in a week or two "where's my bloody piece of pig"

LaoPo

[Big A]

So, Samak can't go overseas?

Excellence, pure excellence!!!

[Tony Clifton]

So, Samak can't go overseas?

I don't think he looks like a pig.

But then again, I think moving and exporting primates is also forbidden.

Edited March 17, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[Plus]

Is this even legal - outright ban of exports or movement of pigs?

[sriracha john]

the new Finance Ministry's restriction to move pigs and pork products across borders to neighboring countries which is set to take effect tomorrow.

Is this even legal - outright ban of exports or movement of pigs?

When you have a doctor *with ongoing criminal litigation* running the Finance Ministry who is making non-Finance Ministry decisions and national and international polices, who knows????

*edit... additional detail added...

Edited March 17, 2008 by sriracha john