A nationwide crash in pork prices, sparked by rampant smuggling, is wreaking havoc on the livelihoods of hog farmers throughout Thailand. The illegal import of pork not only undermines local farmers but also poses a significant public health risk due to the potential for contamination.
The Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Chaiya Phromma, addressed the issue in a conversation with the Bangkok Post. He affirmed the government’s determination to tackle the smuggling issue head-on to safeguard the farmers’ income and protect the public from tainted produce.
The smuggling issue was exacerbated last year when the local market experienced a severe pork shortage due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak. Opportunistic companies took advantage of the high demand and began importing pork illegally from abroad, despite Thailand’s policy against such…
