ID :
190836
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 10:53
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http://m.oananews.org//node/190836
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Pig transport banned in Thailand to prevent illegal exports
BANGKOK, June 24 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Commerce is imposing a ban on pig transport to prevent illegal exports, as pork prices in neighboring countries are now higher than those on the domestic market by 80-90 baht per kilogram.
Watcharee Wimuktayon, Director-General of the ministry's Department of Internal Trade, said on Friday although the warm weather in Thailand has relieved, resulting in more supply of live pigs on the domestic market, pork prices nationwide have remained at 135-140 baht per kilogram, higher than her department’s recommended price of 130 baht per kilogram.
Watcharee acknowledged that the domestic pork prices in some areas are even higher although her department has asked local exporters to reduce their pig exports to ensure sufficient pork supply for domestic consumption, and that she has received reports on active smuggling of live pigs to neighboring countries.
According to the senior official, Thailand normally exports 200-300 pigs monthly, accounting for some 3-4 per cent of the total live pig supply in the country, but Thai exports of live pigs have been found to have actually reached thousands per month recently due to the active smuggling activity, especially from the eastern Chon Buri and Cha-choeng-sao Provinces.
Watcharee revealed that her ministry's central committee on product and service prices is, therefore, scheduled to meet next week--at which the ban on pig transport will be officially enforced to prevent illegal exports of live pigs, with wrongdoers to be liable to a jail term of five years and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht each.
The senior Thai commerce ministry official also noted that domestic supply of chicken eggs will return to normal over the next couple of months, thanks to recent imports of breeding chickens, and that the officially recommended price of mixed chicken eggs is now 2.80 baht per unit. (TNA)
Watcharee Wimuktayon, Director-General of the ministry's Department of Internal Trade, said on Friday although the warm weather in Thailand has relieved, resulting in more supply of live pigs on the domestic market, pork prices nationwide have remained at 135-140 baht per kilogram, higher than her department’s recommended price of 130 baht per kilogram.
Watcharee acknowledged that the domestic pork prices in some areas are even higher although her department has asked local exporters to reduce their pig exports to ensure sufficient pork supply for domestic consumption, and that she has received reports on active smuggling of live pigs to neighboring countries.
According to the senior official, Thailand normally exports 200-300 pigs monthly, accounting for some 3-4 per cent of the total live pig supply in the country, but Thai exports of live pigs have been found to have actually reached thousands per month recently due to the active smuggling activity, especially from the eastern Chon Buri and Cha-choeng-sao Provinces.
Watcharee revealed that her ministry's central committee on product and service prices is, therefore, scheduled to meet next week--at which the ban on pig transport will be officially enforced to prevent illegal exports of live pigs, with wrongdoers to be liable to a jail term of five years and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht each.
The senior Thai commerce ministry official also noted that domestic supply of chicken eggs will return to normal over the next couple of months, thanks to recent imports of breeding chickens, and that the officially recommended price of mixed chicken eggs is now 2.80 baht per unit. (TNA)
