Thailand moots rice for SA beef plan

Leonard Neill THAILAND IS planning to beef up rice exports with its target a quarter of a million of South African cows! The world's top rice exporter has more rice than it needs, but insufficient cattle to meet beef requirements. But the country's economic depression has left little funds to purchase large herds. Instead it is hoping to work a barter deal with the South African authorities to offload much of its 2,2 million tons of rice in stock in return for up to 300 000 South African beef cows for breeding. The matter has been aired on radio programmes in the country, with the government's chief political advisor, Sanoh Thienthong, telling his nation that while South Africa needs rice, Thailand is desperate for the cows which this country can supply. The South African Agricultural Union is awaiting details of the proposed barter deal before making any officlal comment about exporting the vast number of cows suggested. As one official said: It would be a case of how many grains make up a bovine!Ó