Thailand could lose nearly $1 bn to EU import ban: minister

[webfact]

Thailand could lose nearly $1 bn to EU import ban: minister
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thailand on Wednesday warned it risked losing nearly $1 billion a year if the European Union makes good on a threat to ban fish imports from the kingdom unless it does more to halt illegal fishing.

The world's third largest seafood producer was left red-faced Tuesday when Brussels issued it with a 'yellow card' for failing to clamp down on illegal fishing, saying fisheries monitoring, controls and punishments were inadequate and had to be brought up to international standards.

A 'red card' and eventual import ban of fish would follow if the kingdom failed to clean up its fishing industry within six months, the EU Commission warned.

Thai Agriculture Minister Petipong Puengbun Na Ayudhya told reporters Wednesday that a ban could cost the country up to 30 billion baht a year ($927 million) in European sales -- a shortfall the economically shaky nation can ill afford.

"I am confident that our private sector, fishermen and our fisheries operators are aware that if we fail to solve this problem our fishing industries will be faced with several problems," he said.

Thailand's fishing industry accounts for 40 percent of the country's food exports and is a mainstay of the economy. Its prawn industry is the world's largest.

But its image has been battered by allegations of ships using human trafficking victims and slave labour, as well as taking illegal catches -- practices critics say successive governments have turned a blind eye to.

Thailand's junta, which took over last May in a coup and has vowed to kickstart the kingdom's flagging economy, has said it is determined to combat illegal fishing, including a plan to role out widespread GPS devices on fishing vessels.

Petipong said he was confident Bangkok would meet the EU's six month deadline, adding that the country's rubber stamp parliament had already passed a new bill giving greater powers to harbour and labour officials to monitor trawlers.

But the bill will not become law for another 60 days, something Petipong said the junta might need to fast track if needs be.

"I think we can beat the 180-day deadline," he said.

In June the US State Department downgraded Thailand to its lowest ranking in a report on human trafficking, highlighting abuses in the fisheries industry among others.

On Tuesday Thailand's Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply disappointed" by the EU's yellow card, accusing Brussels of ignoring the steps the junta had taken in the last six months to tackle illegal fishing.

Belize, Guinea, Cambodia and Sri Lanka were all hit with EU fishing import bans in the past but remedial efforts by Belize means it has now been taken off the blacklist.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-04-22

[berybert]

And the next report tomorrow will inform us that Thailand has increased its exports of fish to the EU by $1 billion.

[Pimay1]

Thai Agriculture Minister Petipong Puengbun Na Ayudhya told reporters Wednesday that a ban could cost the country up to 30 billion baht a year ($927 million) in European sales -- a shortfall the economically shaky nation can ill afford.

This is a mai pen rai stopper.

[zaphod reborn]

"Fisheries monitoring, controls and punishments were inadequate and had to be brought up to international standards."

Farang do not understand Thainess. Thailand does not need to meet international standards, because Thai standards are more strict and arise out of traditional fishing practices which are centuries old.

I don't know one industry in Thailand that is operated within international standards.

[tullynagardy]

The junta doesn`t care about these issues, it`s focusing on more important things like dirty beaches and 15 principles

[ezzra]

So be it, it will teach some countries a lesson not to tread lightly with human lives as if they were livestock

and will also drop the silly seafood prices around town for a change.....

[Suffinator]

Thailand on Wednesday warned it risked losing nearly $1 billion a year if the European Union makes good on a threat to ban fish imports from the kingdom unless it does more to halt illegal fishing.

If that's what it takes to force Thailand to finally comply with its signing of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights so be it. Hit them where it hurts most ... their wallets.

Thailand can consider itself fortunate that the EU gave them yet more time to clean up their deplorable human rights tract records ... if it was me I would have issued a ban on the spot and had done with it.

"I am confident that our private sector, fishermen and our fisheries operators are aware that if we fail to solve this problem our fishing industries will be faced with several problems," he said.

Of course they are aware of it; human trafficking and slavery have been their bread and butter for decades and built vast fortunes on the misery and often death of others ... but that's never been a real concern up until now has it?

But its image has been battered by allegations of ships using human trafficking victims and slave labour, as well as taking illegal catches -- practices critics say successive governments have turned a blind eye to.

Allegations? You mean hard documented facts from NGO's supported by the poor who managed to survive Thai greed.

Thailand's junta, which took over last May in a coup and has vowed to kickstart the kingdom's flagging economy, has said it is determined to combat illegal fishing, including a plan to role out widespread GPS devices on fishing vessels.

So when are they going to start? I guess the race is on ... 6 months and counting. Trouble is with corruption being the tail wagging the dog it's unlikely that Prayut will be able to stop the on-going abuse.

Petipong said he was confident Bangkok would meet the EU's six month deadline, adding that the country's rubber stamp parliament had already passed a new bill giving greater powers to harbour and labour officials to monitor trawlers.

Yes but the EU doesn't care what 'rubber stamp' you use on paper it's concerned about measurable advancements in stamping out human trafficking, forced and slave labour. Yes a new bill being stamped is only going to go as far as increasing the size of the brown envelopes that harbour and labour officials will demand to look the other way ... as has been widely documented but none have yet to been removed, faced justice and imprisoned for their crimes.

On Tuesday Thailand's Foreign Ministry said it was "deeply disappointed" by the EU's yellow card, accusing Brussels of ignoring the steps the junta had taken in the last six months to tackle illegal fishing.

Yes being caught out must be very disappointing. They didn't ignored the steps that the gov were taking but rather couldn't find anything measurable ... lip service, promises and crying like a baby when you don't get your own way doesn't achieve anything other than making the EU and the entire world seeing Thailand for what it truly is.

[clockman]

The only way to make Thailand conform. Is by hitting there revenue. They only understand loss of money. They have done nothing for at least 10 years. Just the same as ivory, aviation, Just ban them, and watch the reaction!

[DLock]

Was not aware Thailand was the worlds 3rd largest seafood producer, the worlds largest shrimp exporter and that the fishing industry constitutes 40% of the country's food exports.

...and the response ""I think we can beat the 180-day deadline," he said."

You think? You better be damn sure you can beat the deadline.

[dcutman]

I would think to have sustainable fishing the seas in and around Thailand will actually need fish. Since the 1960's overfishing has caused over 90% depletion in fish stocks in Thai waters. The Java and Andaman sea are not much better off. I would think it would take years if not decades for these areas to recover.

[ChrisY1]

"adding that the country's rubber stamp parliament had already passed a new bill giving greater powers to harbour and labour officials to monitor trawlers."

Rubber stamp parliament!!.........and yet another law passed.....and now harbour and labour officials join the long line of gift takers...........the EU will see straight through this rubbish!

[wabothai]

Stop wining about your possible loss of money.

Take off your white uniforms and go to work.

[chainarong]

Perhaps the only consolation this could hardly be blamed on the present occupiers of the house of the people, however it is now high time to come up to international standards, so pull your finger out and start meaningful action to fix this problem , otherwise this just might be the tip of the iceberg and not forgetting substandard conditions operating in other Thai industries it would seem like Thailand will be forced to tow the line, either that or lose loads of money and contracts.

[SOTIRIOS]

...sorry to say 'serves them right'...

...unfair business practices, rules and regulations against foreigners...right down to foreign spouses....

...enough of this 'one-way street'.....

....karma...???

...well there should be an avalanche of karma headed this way.....

Edited April 22, 2015 by SOTIRIOS

[Pinot]

Fishing industry remains unregulated. Thais rarely do anything till they have to.

[bapoboy]

and the whole world should ban EU.

[cookee68]

And the next report tomorrow will inform us that Thailand has increased its exports of fish to the EU by $1 billion.

Or something along those lines

[whaleboneman]

I would think to have sustainable fishing the seas in and around Thailand will actually need fish. Since the 1960's overfishing has caused over 90% depletion in fish stocks in Thai waters. The Java and Andaman sea are not much better off. I would think it would take years if not decades for these areas to recover.

So perhaps an EU ban would be a good thing.

[Thai at Heart]

No export license for any operator who cannot prove that their supply chain is clean. Set the bar high and start cleaning up, now....

[MaiChai]

Surprised there is any fish left in the sea? So Thai trawlers have to go and fish in Indonesian waters to find sizeable catches? Then dump crews in Indonesia when they get caught for illegal fishing? Greed seems to rule everything in Thailand? Not to mention the stories of slavery? Maybe Thai schools should start teaching ethics because there seems to be a lack of any in society?

[newatthis]

Stop wining about your possible loss of money.

Take off your white uniforms and go to work.

Exactly!! Just fix the problem

[Sydebolle]

That would be bad news indeed.

I read the other day that Yingluck's rice scheme had put the state's coffers some 600 billion Baht (a staggering amount) back.

Question: do 30 billion non-sales of fish to Europe matter if you still have all that rice in the warehouse?
Or am I getting it all wrong again?

[fred Kubasa]

As usual authorities deny problem exists and " UNFAZED " !

[Johnny S]

Ban them and hear them whine about how falang dont understand Thainess and all their BS - let them Loose Money, only way to get them straight

[Thai at Heart]

Bought some makeral in tomato sauce the other day in Tesco.

Made in Thailand. So it's not just shrimp and squid. Loads of prepared fish products in the markets in UK/EU

[Prbkk]

Bought some makeral in tomato sauce the other day in Tesco.

Made in Thailand. So it's not just shrimp and squid. Loads of prepared fish products in the markets in UK/EU

And sometimes it's hard to tell because a Thai company is the biggest manufacturer in the world ( or top 2 at least) and has factories all over the place...so it might say on a can "produce of XXXX" but Thai owned. TV Monde had a very good documentary about this a few weeks ago.

[Thai at Heart]

Bought some makeral in tomato sauce the other day in Tesco.

Made in Thailand. So it's not just shrimp and squid. Loads of prepared fish products in the markets in UK/EU

And sometimes it's hard to tell because a Thai company is the biggest manufacturer in the world ( or top 2 at least) and has factories all over the place...so it might say on a can "produce of XXXX" but Thai owned. TV Monde had a very good documentary about this a few weeks ago.

Well if the tin says made in Thailand, that is that. Origin certification is a requirement.