HERE PIGGY, PIGGY
Thai swine raisers insist the government continue its ban on US pork with a multibillion-baht trade deal on the table.
Lifting the US pork ban may mean sacrificing the health of Thai consumers in exchange for a US$4.2-billion (134 billion baht) trade deal, say the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand.
The US Trade Representative (USTR) is pressuring the Thai government to lift the long-standing ban, said the association. Last week, the USTR office accepted a request from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) to reconsider Thailand’s trade benefits under the US Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), a tariff that gives over 1,000 Thai products a competitive advantage in the US market.
The US pork council is demanding the Thai government eliminate its restriction on uncooked US meat, with Jim Heimerl, president of the NPPC, citing “unfair treatment” as the reason behind the council’s petition.
“Thailand’s treatment of US pork provides a clear basis for removing or limiting its GSP benefits,” he said.
US pork was banned in Thailand because of the use of ractopamine, a feed additive commonly used by US pork producers to enhance animals’ muscle leanness and growth rates. The Thai government claims there is not enough evidence to prove the drug is safe for consumers.
THE UPSIDE
Chaiyapoom Bunchasak, associate professor from Department of Animal Science Faculty of Agriculture at Kasetsart University, said the drug helps pigs to generate more protein and, therefore, rapidly enhances their growth rates, helping the farmers to lower operating costs and maximise productivity.
The use of ractopamine, in limited amounts, was approved by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the internationally recognised food standard setter.
THE DOWNSIDE
Mr Chaiyapoom said Thailand has long held a zero-tolerance policy on the use of beta-agonists (including ractopamine). Moreover, the drug is still restricted or banned in 160 countries, including some EU members, China and Russia.
The effects of Ractopamine residue in humans is still unknown. But the drug has been linked to agitation, dyspnea, cardiac issues, stress, disabilities and death in farm animals. The drug can pose significant dangers to consumers with a history of heart disease and high blood pressure.
NOT SUITABLE FOR THAI DISHES
Prayad Thirawong, a lecturer at Kasetsart University and an animal husbandry expert, recently wrote in a local newspaper that the US pig organs are “a ticking time bomb” for other countries. Higher concentrations of ractopamine residue can be found in pig organs such as liver and intestines, he said, which can pose a great risk when consumed in Thai dishes made of internal organs or half cooked meat.
IMPACT ON THE LOCAL INDUSTRY
Mr Prayad said pig parts, especially those considered to be “unwanted” in the US market like heads, giblets and offal will flood into Thailand.
The Thai government has been working for more than 20 years with the private sector to make consumers aware of the dangers of beta-agonist, and to eliminate the illegal use of the drugs through the production chain.
US pressure is viewed by people in the industry as a unilateral attempt to take over the local market with substandard products. Revoking the ban will damage 200,000 pig farmers who raise 18 million pigs annually, and harm-related businesses like feed producers, corn farmers and medical suppliers, said Mr Prayad.
Prasit Luangmanee, a pig farmer from Roi Et province, said the Thai pig market is facing a huge glut. Local farmers have suffered from declining prices over the last 10 months.
“Pig farmers are standing united against US pork. Roi Et people should eat Roi Et pork; Thais should eat Thai pork. Trump is protecting his farmers, our prime minister should do the same,” said Mr Prasit.