Thailand urged to open market for US meat

BANGKOK, February 4 (TNA) - The United States has called for Thailand to open the domestic market for all kinds of US beef, including beef with bones, as well as pork. US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney made the call during her meeting with Thai Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Yukol Limlaemthong in Bangkok on Monday. The United States has been, meanwhile, unable to export beef with bones to Thailand because Thailand and the US have not concluded their negotiations on hygiene certification for beef with bones in accordance with the standard of the World Organization for Animal Health. The United States has not been able to export its pork to Thailand either, as US farmers are allowed to use beta-agonists, which are banned in Thailand. The Thai minister, in return, urged the United States to import more Thai farm products, namely fruits, expressing his hope for a positive response from Washington. The Thai agriculture and cooperatives minister also asked the US top envoy to help explain to relevant agencies that Thailand opposes child labor in the fishing sector and is speeding up eliminating child labor abuse. (TNA)