Pig farmers up in arms over US pressure
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Members of the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand and other concerned parties are considering marching to Government House in protest against US pressure on Thailand to open up its market to US pork and offal.
Surachai Sutthitham, president of the association, yesterday said pig farmers nationwide would write to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asking the government for protection measures against attempts to export US pork products to the Kingdom.
Through the US Embassy in Bangkok, agencies representing that country’s farmers and exporters have recently sought to pressure the government to open up the market to their pork and offal goods.
The move has raised an alarm bell among Thai pig raisers, as the US government subsidises its farmers to strengthen their export competitiveness, which means they can impose lower retail prices than local producers in overseas markets are able to do.
“The raising of pigs is an important occupation in Thailand, and one that has upgraded the standard of living of farmers for decades. Farmers are now also able to produce high-quality meat to serve domestic demand, and they sometimes face oversupply,” Surachai said.
He argued that if the government allowed the United States to access the Thai market, it would result in a serious oversupply situation and bring down domestic prices. This in turn would force Thai farmers to shut down operations, as they would not be able to shoulder big losses.
Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan have already opened up their markets for US pork, which is priced much lower than local production and has pulled farm-gate prices down to an average of Bt50 per kilogram, he said.
As a result, many farmers in the three countries are facing bankruptcy as their main source of income dries up, he added.
He said that besides Washington’s export-subsidy policy strengthening its farmers’ international competitiveness, the United States would also export the unwanted parts of its pigs, such as the head, feet and offal.
Moreover, the use of chemicals such as ractopamine and carbadox – fed to pigs to turn their meat into a redder product – is allowed by the US government, whereas such use is prohibited in Thailand, Surachai said.
“The import of US pork would confuse Thai consumers, as they would not be able separate Thai products from US pork, which would result in a high health risk due to the use of these chemicals,” he insisted.
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.
