Thai swineherds are opposing the possibility of pork imports from the US over concerns of consumer health because of the use of ractopamine as well as economic damages to Thai farmers.
More than 100 swineherds yesterday gathered at the Commerce Ministry to express their concerns after learning a trade negotiation with the US government is planned for today.
Swine Raisers Association of Thailand president Surachai Sutthitham said the group is opposed to the imports and handed a letter to a deputy director-general of the Internal Trade Department.
US President Donald Trump previously announced his America First policy to reduce the US trade deficit, which could affect US imports from Thailand as that country negotiates with the Thai government about opening its market to US pork, said Mr Surachai.
The association insists Thailand should not allow pork meat imports from the US because American swine are fed ractopamine, which is against Thai law as there are concerns over consumer health, he said.
"Swine raisers want confirmation from the Thai government that imported pork with ractopamine is prohibited. We are concerned about damage to the domestic swine industry and its supply chain of several agricultural crops, including rice, tapioca, soybeans and corn," Mr Surachai said. "These damages will cost more than a trillion baht for integrated businesses."
The association previously sent letters several times to express their concerns on this issue, but there was no clear explanation from the Thai government to ease swineherds' concerns.
These letters mention that all previous US governments have pressured the Thai government to open the domestic market to US pork meat imports.
Mr Surachai said if the government ignores swine raisers' requests, the association will ask its members to be plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the government for damages to 200,000 swine raisers and consumers.
Ratchaburi Livestock Cooperative chairman Wiwat Pongwiwatchai said Thai consumers would be at risk of ractopamine exposure if US pork is imported.
US pork parts that American consumers will not eat will be sent to Thailand, such as giblets and heads, considered as garbage for the Americans, said Mr Wiwat.
Thailand raises some 15 million swine per year.