Thai fishery exports: EU's motive behind yellow card queried

[webfact]

IUU
EU's motive behind yellow card queried
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation



Fishery body chief says move may be driven by protectionism

SONGKHLA Fishery Association president Praporn Ekuru said the issuing of a yellow card for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices and the threat to ban Thai fishery exports could have been driven by the European Union's economic protectionism or its desire to see the military regime of General Prayut Chan-o-cha return the country to democracy.

Praporn also criticised the six-month deadline given to Thailand to improve itself as being unreasonable.

"It could be protectionism. They should not have set such a deadline. I am also worried that it may also have to do with the [military government's roadmap to return democracy] and pressuring of the military," said Praporn. "What agenda do they have?"

The Songkhla Fishery Association president, who is also a former MP of the Democrat Party, said he had no confidence that Thailand would be able to meet the deadline for adjustment and improvement, despite the fact that the Kingdom had been trying to deal with the issues for years now.

"Thailand should seek alternative markets," he concluded, adding the Middle East seemed a logical alternative market and Thailand's fishery exports to the region were still low.

Praporn warned that even if Thailand succeeded in improving its fishery standards, it could mean a 20 to 30 per cent rise in the cost of marine produce and could in effect make Thail fisheries not competitive enough. It could even reduce the level of profits.

Another former Democrat MP and current chief executive of Songkhla Province Administrative Organisation, Niphon Bunyamanee who was once in the trawler business, held views similar to Praporn's.

"If they don't directly resort to protectionism, they would use regulations. Is there a political motivation driving it?

"If you ask whether the EU standards are good or not, the answer is yes, they are good. But is this a new form of sanctions [against the military regime]?" he said.

Niphon added that he might be right or wrong regarding the use of a yellow card and a threat to pressure the military regime of General Prayut and the National Council for Peace and Order to stick with the timeframe for returning to democracy.

"It can be read that the measure is applied to pressure the Thai government [on democracy]. One can see it that way."

Niphon added that six months is simply too short a time.

"They're using this time-frame to pressure us," Niphon concluded.

"There're just far too many |people involved in the industry |and more time for adjustment should have been provided."

Niphon acknowledged that the Kingdom must improve its fishery industry and bring it up to international standards, but it should not have taken the EU to tell it what to do.

"It reflects our irresponsibility. I'm not confident that we can meet the deadline unless we put up a show [to deceive]."

Niphon predicted that the basic costs of marine produce would go up as much as 30 to 40 per cent if the standards required by the EU were to be truly met.

"It will become more expensive. Perhaps we have to think about exporting other goods instead."

In related news, 26 Port In-Port Out Controlling (PIPO) centres in 22 coastal provinces were launched yesterday in a bid to tackle the IUU fishing and related human trafficking crimes.

The centres will oversee fishing trawlers of over 30 gross tonnes.

So far, 10 trawlers out of 17 such vessels in Krabi province have registered with its provincial centre.

In Satun where there were 194 such big trawlers covering 6,500 crewmembers, provincial governor Dejrat Simsiri, vowed to severely punish officials involved in human trafficking. He was presiding over the opening of two such centres in this southern province.

He affirmed that meetings on the matter and inspections were organised regularly.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/EUs-motive-behind-yellow-card-queried-30259466.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-07

[Bluespunk]

"If they don't directly resort to protectionism, they would use regulations. Is there a political motivation driving it?"

No it's not protectionism.

Yes it probably is political.

The EU finds the use of slave labour and environmentally unsafe practices unacceptable.

Both politically and morally.

[NongKhaiKid]

Even when we are at fault it's really all down to others for not understanding and being unfair.

[LuckyLew]

Why is this person trying to pass the buck and not just admit their are serious issues with the Thai fishing industry?

[Bocking]

EU Protectionism? ... No, just Bad Practice by Thailand, so stand up and take it on the chin like a real man.

Unrealistic Deadline? ... You've known about the problems for years, as mentioned in your own response.

Change to the Middle East Market? ... That's right, don't fix it, just move it.

Thainess at its worryingly dangerous worst

[WhizBang]

Morons, one and all.

[Credo]

The underbelly of the country is being exposed and between mass graves and slavery, one wonders if we are living in a war-torn country in the ME or 200 years in the past.

The sad part is this has been going on with the knowledge and cooperation of officials in the kingdom.

A very sad state of affairs.

[NongKhaiKid]

Why is this person trying to pass the buck and not just admit their are serious issues with the Thai fishing industry?

LL you've hit on the very essence of Thainess about not accepting any responsibility and blaming everybody, anybody, else.

[zaphod reborn]

Yes, it is protectionism. The EU is economically and politically corrupt. It's membership economies are in shambles. You can sanction Thailand for participation in human trafficking, but using environmentally unsound fishing practices is a farce.

[lovetotravel]

Yes, it is protectionism. The EU is economically and politically corrupt. It's membership economies are in shambles. You can sanction Thailand for participation in human trafficking, but using environmentally unsound fishing practices is a farce.

Perhaps, but the EU has gone after this aggressively in their own backyard recently. After years of nothing being done. They have taken some tough actions. And not popular ones, especially with the wealthy fishing barons. But they did it. And Thailand needs to do the same.

Thailand has known about this for years and done nothing. The world is tired of talk and wants action. Can't blame them???

[ExPratt]

What kind of logic do some of these people use

"They're using this time-frame to pressure us," That's the idea yes , get it done

[stevenl]

Why is this person trying to pass the buck and not just admit their are serious issues with the Thai fishing industry?

Because he is protecting his interests.

[pinkpanther99]

How about Mr Praporn focuses on getting his own house in order and ridding the Thai fishing industry of widespread use of slaves and other illegal practices, rather than going on the offensive of the possible motives of the EU.

I find his comments disgusting and wholly inappropriate that a senior official would look to divert attention in this manner from what is such a serious issue.

Following these comments, part of me hopes the EU and the rest of the world comes down hard on Thailand and its murky fishing industry.

If the self appointed regime is as genuinely interested in improving Thailand as it repeatedly says it is, it would stop at nothing to ensure a complete overhaul of its fishing industry. However, I wont be holding my breath that this will happen any time soon.

[BirdsandBooze]

That's somewhat hypocritical coming from someone whose own country uses protectionism as it's major economic tool.

[thesetat2013]

Unreal! The plane and excuse game being written again by people who don't want to accept the fact that their is illegal fishing being done by Thais. So instead of accepting this and fixing the problem they use this stupid excuse. I am sure if the UE wanted to make a way to get rid of P they could find better ways that are more productive to that goal.

[SoilSpoil]

So while they are still digging up mass graves in the South, this fine gentleman feels the need to ventilate his frustration over his loss of income? Sad, very sad.

I know I shouldn't, but deep down I kind of hope there will be a ban from both the US and Europe.

[UKCanuk]

Protectionism? Pot, kettle, black.

[Trentham]

"It could even reduce the level of profits."

That line says it all.

[lujanit]

Protectionism? I didn't know the EU produced mega tons of prawns. Learn something new every day!

[alfalfa19]

Fishery association president. Well, that is about what I would expect from him.

[Thaddeus]

"It could even reduce the level of profits."

That line says it all.

With interest.

(both meanings)

[ChrisY1]

"It reflects our irresponsibility. I'm not confident that we can meet the deadline unless we put up a show [to deceive]."

Well.....at least they recognise that they are irresponsible....completely and utterly!

And.....thinking that cheating is the way they might go....as always.

This OP really indicates the insane level of ignorance and incompetence that these people possess!

[Tatsujin]

"Praporn warned that even if Thailand succeeded in improving its fishery standards, it could mean a 20 to 30 per cent rise in the cost of marine produce and could in effect make Thail fisheries not competitive enough. It could even reduce the level of profits."

Welcome to the real world Thailand. Grow up. Please.

[ronthai]

Oh dear, just this:

[oneday]

"...could have been driven by the European Union's economic protectionism or its desire to see the military regime of General Prayut Chan-o-cha return the country to democracy..."

Although there may be a tinsy-whinsy, bit of truth to what you say, the far larger truth of their accusation about your fishing industry far overwhelms your tinnie little truth.

[soalbundy]

It could even reduce profits, OK all is forgiven, slavery is OK just as long as your profits are OK, a disgusting man who shouldn't be a politician,statements like this will go down the throat like oil in the EU and USA.

[JRinPDX]

It is not pushing for democracy; it is pushing for integrity. (lacking throughout)

[JohnnyJazz]

Yes, it is politically motivated. The West has always known about Thailand shaddy business practices but until now chose to turn a blind eye because Thailand was supposed to be an ally by being one of the few (only ?) "successful" democracy in South East Asia. No more. The irony is the West is in fact rewarding the dictature by helping it making Thailand a better country.

[Oziex1]

I am lead to believe that Thais do not learn much about the rest of the world, but it's out there and what a damn nuisance it is.

[winstonc]

"It reflects our irresponsibility. I'm not confident that we can meet the deadline unless we put up a show [to deceive]."

Well.....at least they recognise that they are irresponsible....completely and utterly!

And.....thinking that cheating is the way they might go....as always.

This OP really indicates the insane level of ignorance and incompetence that these people possess!

and he was an mp..you couldnt make it up....fingers crossed for a ban ..