Thai swine raisers urge PM to ban US pork imports
By English News

BANGKOK, June 10 - Thai swine raisers will meet with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra tomorrow to oppose the government's plan to import pork from the United States.

Swine Raisers Association of Thailand president Surachai Sutthitham said about 2,000 pig producers will meet the premier to ask her to review policies on imported pork from the United States when they meet tomorrow.

He said local swine raisers will be hit by the imports, as they cannot compete with the prices of the imported US meat which has a lower cost of production.

Mr Surachai cited that the US has lower costs for pig feeds than their trade partners so that it could set lower selling prices for their country's trading partners.

The association president said that US law allows the use of drugs called beta-agonists, including Ractopamine and Carbadox, as feed additives, to keep pigs lean and boost their growth.

The Thai Department of Livestock however banned the use of such drugs for Thailand's swine raisers, said Mr Surachai. Importing US pig flesh will violate Thai health laws and upset Thai consumers. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-06-10

"... and upset Thai consumers."

Don't know about the alleged use of certain drugs, but I'm sure currently Thai consumers are more upset with high prices.

Well if pigs can eat rice. Which I'm sure they can. There will be some low cost low quality stuff available soon. Just enquire at the Commerce ministry

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

"the US has lower costs for pig feeds" and Thailand has millions of tons of unsellable rice. Could the problem be that even pigs won't eat it?

Anyone grasp why the USA has lower costs of production or pig feeds than Thailand?

the litmus test for good quality pork: put a 100 gram pork steak in the pan, after frying you can be happy if the steak has 95 gram. Good quality.

Most of the cheap pork meat you buy lose up to 30% of water.

If there's money to be made on importing USA pork I'm sure some entrepeneur would already do so. Maybe the remarks on certain drugs not allowed in Thailand has some validity? Of course, for this government nothing is impossible. Import cheap pork for the masses and offer cheap loans to help swine raisers. All happy and the taxpayer isn't asked anyway.

Thailand's biggest customer is the US.

Upsetting your biggest customer by blocking their trade isn't smart.

Still, this is the Shinawatra school of economics

The residual growth drugs might help Thais grow taller.

Then there is the 60% odd duty that the US has just slapped on Thai shrimp.

What's good for the shrimp should be good for the pork.

The association president said that US law allows the use of drugs called beta-agonists, including Ractopamine and Carbadox, as feed additives, to keep pigs lean and boost their growth.

Wonder if Ractopamine is worse than Borax? Borax used to be found especially on pork meat in Thailand to make it look "redder" or more fresh in the markets.

(Borax has toxicity to humans, including reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute toxicity Borax causes irritation of
the skin and respiratory tract. The gastrointestinal tract, skin, vascular system and central nervous system are the principal systems
and organs affected. It can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, erythematous and exfoliative rashes, unconsciousness,
depression and renal failure. Borax has been shown to adversely affect male fertility in animal models. Testicular toxicity and decreases in body weight result at extreme doses.)

Pork prepared three ways.... http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/640923-pig-farmers-in-thailand-up-in-arms-over-u-s-pressure/page-9?hl=%2Bpork#entry6457610

Note that CP considered bidding on the recent Smithfield sale.

Thailand's CP Foods says considered bidding for Smithfield

May 30 (Reuters) - Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc, controlled by Thai billionaire Dhanin Chearavanont, said on Thursday it had considered bidding for Smithfield Foods Inc . On Wednesday, China's privately-owned Shuanghui International agreed to buy Smithfield Foods for $4.7 billion in cash to feed growing Chinese appetite for U.S. pork, in a deal that has already stirred concern from U.S. politicians.

CP Foods declined to give more details due to a non-disclosure agreement.

Thai Farmer, raise pig, kill pig, sell pig. American farmer raise pig, kill pig, ship frozen pig to Thailand and sell pig. With the American farmer having a higher cost of goods due to shipping but still the cost will be 50 baht a kilo wholesale vs 90 baht a kilo for Thai farmer. Either the feed is over priced here or American are better farmers.

Either the feed is over priced here or American are better farmers.

Or the US goverment hands out more subsidies to US pig farmers...

Thai Farmer, raise pig, kill pig, sell pig. American farmer raise pig, kill pig, ship frozen pig to Thailand and sell pig. With the American farmer having a higher cost of goods due to shipping but still the cost will be 50 baht a kilo wholesale vs 90 baht a kilo for Thai farmer. Either the feed is over priced here or American are better farmers.

That would be a distinct possibility, with the pork buyers also supplying the feed through an oligopoly, one wouldn't be making much of a leap to believe that the farmer is getting squeezed both ends. I really find it hard to believe that the cost of production are that much cheaper in the USA.

Asians raise pigs on farms. Americans raise pigs in factories. Big honking factories.

Still, I imagine Thai corn growers would like to outlaw imports of corn and Thai computer makers would rather not compete with imported computers and...

Thai customs have enough trouble spotting an illegally imported car. What chance would they have with a pig?

Thai customs have enough trouble spotting an illegally imported car. What chance would they have with a pig?

None?

Anyone grasp why the USA has lower costs of production or pig feeds than Thailand?

Maybe they feed them leftovers from Denny's.

Looks like there is more than one particular party with their snouts in the trough.

Are they really called "Swine Raisers"? Back home we refer to them as Pig Farmers or, more PC, Pork Producers.

Thai Dairy farmers upset with Asean because other ASEAN countries milk production cost is less with 15 baht liter vs thai 40 baht a liter, Thai Pig Farmers 90 baht a kilo wholesale vs 50 baht a kilo USA pork inported. The consumer pays for the Thai farmer to stay in a failing business. What about cars, TVs, computers and other imports should they be banned so to Thai can compete and the thai consumer pay more for them too?

You can't beat the local thai meat.Cheap and great !

Thailand's biggest customer is the US.

Upsetting your biggest customer by blocking their trade isn't smart.

Still, this is the Shinawatra school of economics

It's a shinawatra that wants to allow USA bacon in.

Thai Dairy farmers upset with Asean because other ASEAN countries milk production cost is less with 15 baht liter vs thai 40 baht a liter, Thai Pig Farmers 90 baht a kilo wholesale vs 50 baht a kilo USA pork inported. The consumer pays for the Thai farmer to stay in a failing business. What about cars, TVs, computers and other imports should they be banned so to Thai can compete and the thai consumer pay more for them too?

I think the monopoly enjoyed by a couple of massive Thai producers is the reason prices are high.

They supply all the inputs and so make money on both ends.

Thai customs have enough trouble spotting an illegally imported car. What chance would they have with a pig?

Ok, that's funny.

Thai customs have enough trouble spotting an illegally imported car. What chance would they have with a pig?

"Where you come flom?"

Then there is the 60% odd duty that the US has just slapped on Thai shrimp.

What's good for the shrimp should be good for the pork.

I don't disagree with you, but.......the next headline you might see is, U.S. swine farmers call on government to ban all Thai manufactured goods. Kind of like a mom and pop store starting a trade war with Walmart, it's only going to end one way.

Are they really called "Swine Raisers"? Back home we refer to them as Pig Farmers or, more PC, Pork Producers.

Is this why we never hear of any unhappy Thai rice raisers?

I don't know what they're squealing about. If it helps like any oinkment, then better the health!

-mel.