Pig Farmers In Thailand Up In Arms Over U S Pressure

[lovetotravel]

So how about Thailand refuse US pork

and how about US refuse to import Thai shrimp

If one country uses protectionism the other country will do so

Moscow does not permit the sale of US pork, despite Russia's high growth in pork consumption. Moscow's policy is based on the need to ensure food safety and people's health, Surachai said.

And that's the real point, corruption in the USA allows poisons to be fed to their people.

Shameful!!! Keep it out of here!!!

Do some research before you post. Many countries use the same additive, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, etc.

This article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/russia-us-meat-ban_n_2660159.html

Indicates politics are probably involved. Which makes sense.

But the move to ban U.S. meat imports worth over $500 million may also be an effort to help domestic producers withstand an influx of cheap meat after Russia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO).

[Publicus]

How about other countries ban Thai pork and see how these folks like it. Price of bacon in Thailand is a joke, actually Thai bacon is full of water and really sucks.

I have to admit Thai bacon is terrible, no meat on it and is only that stringy type. Give me the good Aussie/English style bacon anyday and not the American/Thai style.

I don't see American bacon, as from the United States, in Thai supermarkets. It's like Thais trying to pawn off the garbage they call American fried rice. What's presented in Thailand as American fried rice isn't fit for pig feed - it's sh*t. Same as the "American style" breakfast, which is garbage on the table with the word American as the first word in the menu item.

Americans, as in the United States, like to buy Canadian bacon and NZ lamb. Americans don't eat much pork, relatively measured. Thais are welcome to American pork, GMO U.S. pork in particular - it might make Thais grow bigger. .

[lovetotravel]

But maybe this outside pressure is helping???

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/sns-smithfields-us-pork-off-ractopamine,0,6071173.story

[slapout]

You may want to look at the Thai porker maket, who buys and processes the pork, who sells the feed to get the pig growers to contract back, the pigs they feed out?

The small Thai pig farmer would probably see little affect on his market (local processing/sale) from imported pork products, whereas the big Thai companies who are involved in farming, importing feed, processing, and sell via middle men to the consumer(monolopy/price colusion) will want to protect their cash cow, to the point, they will point to the small farmer being run out of business.

For the Thai meat industry to even mention chemical contanimation/use, hygiene, packaging, transport, etc, standards is a joke in itself.

[Dararasmi]

Love it when the carnivores go at it. LOL...

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

looks like US producers are phasing out the use of Ractopamine to increase exports

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/sns-smithfields-us-pork-off-ractopamine,0,6071173.story

I don't know about a compound that causes lean muscle. Clenbuterol is also a diet supplement that helps people lose fat.

Seems a lot of expats and people around the world SHOULD be eating some fat burning supplements.

[Publicus]

This is more about the Chicken and Pork Group, CP, and much less to do with Thai family farmers per se.

Charoen Pokphand. Aka: the Chicken People. The Chicken and Pork Group. .

Edited May 21, 2013 by Publicus

[AlphMichaels]

Hang on a minute - The US subsidies its farmers - Never see that happening in Thailand

...and as for bringing down domestic prices - well that's good for the consumer isn't it?

If the Thai porcine farmer goes out of business because he can't produce profitably, no, the consumer will not benefit. Then you'll be eating "factory farm" chemical-laced US produced pork. Economics 101. I'll be able to spot US pork at any market, regardless of the packaging. I love Thai produced pork. BIG difference. Could never eat US produced pork again.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

They might allow US pork imports but aren't their prices going to be high like other imports?

Wine, Beer and just about everything else imported is stupid expensive.

Seems a lot of hot air as usual

can anyone think of any imported product that is cheaper than Thai products?

Edited May 21, 2013 by CobraSnakeNecktie

[chooka]

Love it when the carnivores go at it. LOL...

You need some pork on your fork my friend. The taste of flesh is far better than that of a lettuce leaf.

[Lancelot]

Hang on a minute - The US subsidies its farmers - Never see that happening in Thailand

Are you sure about that? How about Thai government support for the price of rice? The link below from "The Nation" laments the damage done to Thai farmers by, yes, Thai government subsidies...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Govt-subsidies-do-long-term-damage-to-thai-farmers-30177027.html

[chooka]

They might allow US pork imports but aren't their prices going to be high like other imports?

Wine, Beer and just about everything else imported is stupid expensive.

Seems a lot of hot air as usual

Just apply the same import taxes of 350% as they do with imported cars and every one will simply purchase the locally produced product, maybe apart from a few American expats.

[monty1412]

It's really puzzling how US pork could be cheaper than Thai pork in the supermarket. What we really need is an investigative article examining the gouging in the Thai pork distribution market channels. That's what makes Thai pork higher, the gouging and the skim in the middle.

I think its more economies of scale although you do have a point that inThailand once the pig is killed a dressed there are still numerous snouts in the trough before it gets to the consumer. US pig farms are enormous, they have economies of scale with feedstock , butchering, transport, packaging and distribution ,that Thai farmers could not hope to ever match.

On issue of chemical additives I would much rather put my faith in US or any western countries pork products no matter what they have in it compared to local Thai stuff.. most of pesticides they still use here are banned in allot of countries worldwide...

When will Thailand face facts and start to work to being competitive on global commodities that it wants to participate in.

Its always the same old bellow of we need protection... well I tell you what protection is.. go through your supply chain and shoot anyone along the way that collects money but adds little value to the end product or the competiveness of the product globally.

Thailand issue , is pigs and rice are generally grown as village affairs and then even when the pig is dead their are too many proverbial snouts to be satisfied en route to market.

[Publicus]

They might allow US pork imports but aren't their prices going to be high like other imports?

Wine, Beer and just about everything else imported is stupid expensive.

Seems a lot of hot air as usual

Just apply the same import taxes of 350% as they do with imported cars and every one will simply purchase the locally produced product, maybe apart from a few American expats.

That would be a guaranteed WTO case which Thailand would lose hands down.

[worgeordie]

Thai pig farmers will be more worried about the import of U.S. offal,

as its worth next to nothing there, while here some kinds of offal are

a lot more expensive than say the pork fillet.

regards Worgeordie

[laislica]

So how about Thailand refuse US pork

and how about US refuse to import Thai shrimp

If one country uses protectionism the other country will do so

Moscow does not permit the sale of US pork, despite Russia's high growth in pork consumption. Moscow's policy is based on the need to ensure food safety and people's health, Surachai said.

And that's the real point, corruption in the USA allows poisons to be fed to their people.

Shameful!!! Keep it out of here!!!

As much as I am opposed to factory farming, the quality of US pork is comparatively high. The USDA, consumer groups and commercial users regularly test US pork for contaminants and "poisons". What testing is done in Thailand? Is there a mechanism to control contaminants entering the feed system? Do you realize that Thailand still uses animal products in its feed? Are you aware of the local slaughtering practices. For example, a pig in Phuket can be sent to market and no one checks the carcass, and there is no tracking ability. So please, get off your soapbox and comment when you are competent to comment on the integrity of the food supply chain in Thailand.

Thanks for the insight, I guessed as much.

I don't trust any food here and you just confirm it for me.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

They might allow US pork imports but aren't their prices going to be high like other imports?

Wine, Beer and just about everything else imported is stupid expensive.

Seems a lot of hot air as usual

Just apply the same import taxes of 350% as they do with imported cars and every one will simply purchase the locally produced product, maybe apart from a few American expats.

That would be a guaranteed WTO case which Thailand would lose hands down.

That sounds plausible but why are US products in Thailand never cost competitive with any Thai products?

Can anyone name a US product on Thailand shelves that is cost competitive?

[CLUBBER]

Actually 27 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Canada, the United States, have determined that meat from animals fed ractopamine is safe for human consumption.^[6] In the USA, ractopamine is allowed to be used at a feed concentration of 5–20 mg/kg feed for finishing pigs and in dosages of 5–10 mg/kg feed for finishing pigs heavier than 109 kg. In Canada, ractopamine is allowed in meal or pellet feed for finishing barrows, gilts, finishing beef cattle and finishing heavy turkeys (toms and hens) only. The maximum residues limit of ractopamine is 50 ppb and 10 ppb in the USA and Japan, respectively.

In August 2012 Taiwan's legislature passed amendments to the food safety act allowing ractopamine in beef.^[7]

Recently, Russia has restricted beef and pork imports to those that are certified free of the additive ractopamine

[somchai jones]

So how about Thailand refuse US pork

and how about US refuse to import Thai shrimp

If one country uses protectionism the other country will do so

Moscow does not permit the sale of US pork, despite Russia's high growth in pork consumption. Moscow's policy is based on the need to ensure food safety and people's health, Surachai said.

And that's the real point, corruption in the USA allows poisons to be fed to their people.

Shameful!!! Keep it out of here!!!

As much as I am opposed to factory farming, the quality of US pork is comparatively high. The USDA, consumer groups and commercial users regularly test US pork for contaminants and "poisons". What testing is done in Thailand? Is there a mechanism to control contaminants entering the feed system? Do you realize that Thailand still uses animal products in its feed? Are you aware of the local slaughtering practices. For example, a pig in Phuket can be sent to market and no one checks the carcass, and there is no tracking ability. So please, get off your soapbox and comment when you are competent to comment on the integrity of the food supply chain in Thailand.

Thanks for the insight, I guessed as much.

I don't trust any food here and you just confirm it for me.

Here we go again............

[CLUBBER]

So how about Thailand refuse US pork

and how about US refuse to import Thai shrimp

If one country uses protectionism the other country will do so

Moscow does not permit the sale of US pork, despite Russia's high growth in pork consumption. Moscow's policy is based on the need to ensure food safety and people's health, Surachai said.

And that's the real point, corruption in the USA allows poisons to be fed to their people.

Shameful!!! Keep it out of here!!!

As much as I am opposed to factory farming, the quality of US pork is comparatively high. The USDA, consumer groups and commercial users regularly test US pork for contaminants and "poisons". What testing is done in Thailand? Is there a mechanism to control contaminants entering the feed system? Do you realize that Thailand still uses animal products in its feed? Are you aware of the local slaughtering practices. For example, a pig in Phuket can be sent to market and no one checks the carcass, and there is no tracking ability. So please, get off your soapbox and comment when you are competent to comment on the integrity of the food supply chain in Thailand.

Thanks for the insight, I guessed as much.

I don't trust any food here and you just confirm it for me.

Most people just want to bash the US , there is a system there to track meat and when there is a problem they can pinpoint it right to the breeder , farm , slaughterhouse and even the individual animal . I also dont like factory farming and in The US you can also get organic free range antibiotic free every kind of meat you have options , what safety is being done here ? Too many know it all here I think the same guys that used to tell me what I deemed BS and worthless info in the local bars . Some people just like to talk my Dad taught dont believe anything check your facts do your own research , that also goes for the news and media !

[Stjohnm]

"You mean to tell me theres this Magical Animal that produces Sausages, Ham, Bacon & Pork Chops" - Homer J. Simpson

[jonclark]

It would effectively kill off the local pork production industry. Money would also be expropriated. This is not good for the local economies of the affected countries. I believe the Thai Swine Raisers group has a legitimate worry about foreign competition.

Hang on a minute - The US subsidies its farmers - Never see that happening in Thailand

...and as for bringing down domestic prices - well that's good for the consumer isn't it?

I'm sure all domestic producers have legitimate concerns about foreign competition, be those domestic producers from Thailand, Russia, Brazil, the UK or the US.

Simply ring fencing and protecting your own domestic producers in the face of foreign comeptition is not the answer. Imagine if all countries ring fenced their domestic food producers. There would be no global trade in rice, shrimp, wheat, soya, milk, wine. The answer is to compete and not expect the world to 'do you a favour' cause you think you're unique, special in some way.

[lungmi]

Hang on a minute - The US subsidies its farmers - Never see that happening in Thailand

Thailand sell shrimp to America no problem How about rice

But America sell pork to Thailand NO NO No

Thailand cannot sell shrimps to EU, for the same reason Thailand doesn't accept toxic US pork meat.

Edited May 21, 2013 by lungmi

[IMA_FARANG]

The simple solution is for the Thais to open the market in Thailand to U.S, Pork products bur ONLY those that can be certified free of antibiotics and other harmful chemicals.

Make the U.S, pork producers show proof of that and fine or ban any that don't comply with the health regulations.

The result would be:

1. better drug free Pork products

2. Higher prices for U.S, pork (due to costs of compliance with health rules),.

3. And therefore more competitive prices for local drug free Pork products.

A win-win situation for everyone. Just let the market do it on it's own, without government and those polly-a-ticians getting in the way of market forces.

Remember.... those that can, do. Those that can't do, teach. Those that can neither do nor teach run for office and hope to get elected as politicians.

[lovetotravel]

They might allow US pork imports but aren't their prices going to be high like other imports?

Wine, Beer and just about everything else imported is stupid expensive.

Seems a lot of hot air as usual

Just apply the same import taxes of 350% as they do with imported cars and every one will simply purchase the locally produced product, maybe apart from a few American expats.

That would be a guaranteed WTO case which Thailand would lose hands down.

The EU has warned Thailand it's in breech of the WTO laws. Do a search on this and you'll see the article.

[rametindallas]

It's really puzzling how US pork could be cheaper than Thai pork in the supermarket. What we really need is an investigative article examining the gouging in the Thai pork distribution market channels. That's what makes Thai pork higher, the gouging and the skim in the middle.

Economies of scale and massive drugs!

[Thai at Heart]

CP will squash this

[NeverSure]

Yes of course. Food produced in the US is dangerous and food produced in Thailand is guaranteed safe, especially since they so highly regulate pesticides and herbicides in their food sources and their butchering and transportation facilities are so highly regulated.

I'll take first world food every time. Other people can eat Thai crap that they have no idea where it came from.

[givenall]

Wait till ASEAN starts. Thailand with all the protectionism will be in trouble, unless they do fully implement the rules

[davidmann]

next there be beef that started the life out as horses , best bacon comes from the UK