Pig exports banned tomorrow

Thailand: Pig exports banned tomorrow// 17 Mar 2008

A senior finance ministry official announced on Saturday that as of tomorrow, it will be forbidden to move pigs out of the zones where they are raised.

In addition, a full ban on exporting live pigs to neighbouring countries will be issued by the deputy prime minister and minister for commerce, Mingkwan Saengsuwan.

Yanyong Phuangrach, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, announced that the reason for the ban is to try to contain the rising price of pork, now averaging around 120 baht (US$3.81) per kg.

The bans will remain in effect until the price of pork "returns to normal," said Mr Yangong without specifying a target price.

Some pork traders have promised the government to maintain a price of 98 baht (US$3.11) per kilo for the coming two months.

Pig transport
Transporting swine within districts will now require permission from provincial commercial officials. Violation will result in a maximum of fiver years in prison and/or fines up to 100,000 baht (US$3,100).

Mr Yanyong insisted that pork would be available for 98 baht(US$3.11) at least through April, and prices of pork "will fall to a reasonable level" after the Ministry has solved the pig problems.

There is likely to be a major knock-on problem in neighbouring countries, particularly Malaysia, which is the biggest importer of Thai swine.