APNewsBreak: EU keeps sanctions threat on Thai seafood
RAF CASERT, Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is maintaining the threat of a seafood import ban on Thailand because the global exporter is still not doing enough to improve its fisheries and labor practices, officials said Thursday.

The 28-nation EU is keeping up the pressure because even some Thai legislation enacted last year to curb illegal practices was not sufficiently followed up by action over the past months, two EU officials with knowledge of the ongoing talks told the Associated Press.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is seen as a major contributor to dwindling fish stocks across the globe, while in Thailand it has also led to illegal labor practices amounting in some cases to slave labor.

"We continue to have serious concerns about the steps taken by the Thai authorities to fight illegal and unregulated fishing activities. This means that further action by the EU Commission cannot be ruled out," said one official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the talks. Thai authorities insist they are working hard to fundamentally change the practices of the past.

Thailand, the third-largest global seafood exporter, with a stake of 8.1 percent of global exports, needs the wealthy European market to maintain its seafood prominence. Annual Thai fish exports to the EU are estimated to be worth between 575 million and 730 million euros ($650 million and $825 million).

Beyond illegal fishing though, Thailand also faces the slavery issue. The Associated Press has exposed during a two year investigation labor abuses amounting to slavery. In addition to freeing more than 2,000 slaves, the reporting resulted in the arrest of a dozen alleged traffickers-so far eight have been convicted and sentenced-the seizing of millions of dollars' worth of seafood and vessels, several lawsuits, and legal actions by governments and corporations.

EU officials have said that the slavery and labor issues are intimately intertwined with the illegal fishing industry, and that a cleanup of the sector will automatically also have an impact on the labor situation.

The news that Thailand would continue to work under a so-called yellow card threat came Thursday as the EU Commission was assessing other nations from across the world whether they would be punished for unsustainable fishing that further weakens threatened fish stocks or whether reforms in some nations would result in lifting the threat of sanctions. Thailand was given a yellow card exactly one year ago.

EU officials said that dialogue is still proving difficult.

"Lately we have been receiving less evidence of reform from them and more evidence from third countries and NGOs" of illegal practices or a lack of enforcement, the official said.

Both sides are to meet again next month in Brussels amid hope progress can be made.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-04-21

The sooner they impose the sanctions the better.

Wait for the Thai official to come out and say it's just one big misunderstanding and the EU is actually pleased with their non progress.

Edited April 21, 201610 yr by rkidlad

Just do it already!

Just do it already!

Never happen Too much of a profit margin in selling slave bought shrimp and fish over countries who actually pay their workers.

Just do it, the only thing that matters too Thai,s is loss of money.

Might explain why the head of the fishery department was removed from his post in the last day or so.

You only have to visit the markets and see how bad it is. I've lost count of the number of baby sharks. Some barely 2' long.

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It was always going to be so. The Thai custom of cosmetic changes to situations like this rather than committed action is once again apparent.They don't seem able to grasp the concept that some countries or organisations actually do enforce legislation and not just pay lip service to it.

Of course if all the fishermen painted their boats red or more than 5 of them assembled in one place they would all be hailed into port, that would be serious law-breaking.

Edited April 21, 201610 yr by roamer

Thailand must learn that lip service and hot air are insufficient to deal with any kind of problem, especially serious ones.

Sanctions (hit them in the wallet) is the only thing Thailand will understand, well, probably not really understand, but they will react to it.

I suppose another deligation will be sent to Brussels to explain the situitation to the EU and get their understanding.

Thailand must learn that lip service and hot air are insufficient to deal with any kind of problem, especially serious ones.

Sanctions (hit them in the wallet) is the only thing Thailand will understand, well, probably not really understand, but they will react to it.

I suppose another deligation will be sent to Brussels to explain the situitation to the EU and get their understanding.

You can take the Thai out of 'the Jungle',

but you will never be able to take 'the Jungle' out of the Thai...

Threat....threat....threat....so when is the actual sanction or banned?

The sooner they impose the sanctions the better.

As soon as the politicians stop enjoting their prawn cocktails I'm sure they will.

It still amazes me that people think that EU politicians are somehow noble.

The sooner they impose the sanctions the better.

If--- or should I say, as Thailand doesn't honor it's word, then I hope the EU and other nations would stand by their word..... BOYCOTT/SANCTION. Enough talk. Take action!

The sooner they impose the sanctions the better.

As soon as the politicians stop enjoting their prawn cocktails I'm sure they will.

It still amazes me that people think that EU politicians are somehow noble.

I think we can include US politicians too. Oh, and that's my home country. Just sayin. :-)

Threat....threat....threat....so when is the actual sanction or banned?

Like you i don't believe there will be a ban. Last EU to maintain 'yellow card' sanctions on seafood exports but no ban and Thailand would continue to work under a so-called yellow car

This time seems like there is no time frame but Lately EU have been receiving less evidence of reform from them and more evidence from third countries and NGOs" of illegal practices or a lack of enforcement.

Like i said many times before. EU will not ban, cause of big investment here, but on the other hand, perhaps after Greenpeace has a campaign against Thailand and Thai union they will change the views

For the EU to impose sanctions against Thailand, their own importers need to find alternative markets.....and in reality, there are very few options that can supply the quantities they require......at similar prices to Thai imports.

IMO, the EU will continue the yellow card threat in the hope the Thais will comply..........

The sooner they impose the sanctions the better.

I am also against over fishing; but China is 10 times worse. But they will not let anyone into the country to check !

Just so you know if the country which you came from originally is anywhere in the the EU; Thailand could make it hard on you to work,

or get a visa.

The EU should worry about all the terrorists in their countries, or they should face sanctions.

You need to realize that anything that hurts Thailand will effect you; if you live here.

"Lately we have been receiving less evidence of reform from them and more evidence from third countries and NGOs" of illegal practices or a lack of enforcement, the official said."

The illegal practices will continue as normal because the government knows that the EU needs Thai fish products.

It's all because of the attitude of the Thai: the haves and the have nots. Keep the poor poor and that means we get rich.

Slavery is the end result of this attitude.

Cultural reform in the solution.

It's all because of the attitude of the Thai: the haves and the have nots. Keep the poor poor and that means we get rich.

Slavery is the end result of this attitude.

Cultural reform in the solution.

When are the EU going to wisen up don't they understand the Thai way is the right way and the general will who them he means business a common beurocrat my family name is all that is needed over here how dare they threaten Thailand won't dare try that again once we have our submarines

'"Lately we have been receiving less evidence of reform from them and more evidence from third countries and NGOs" of illegal practices or a lack of enforcement, the official said.'

Welcome to Thailaaannn, naaa. Knee, jerk, fire and forget.

It's all because of the attitude of the Thai: the haves and the have nots. Keep the poor poor and that means we get rich.

Slavery is the end result of this attitude.

Cultural reform in the solution.

You'll need their new Northern masters to do that, locals have tried and failed: https://historyplanet.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/the-last-orientals-the-thai-sakdina-system/

Sakdina was legally abolished as late as the 1932 coup, but refused to go away. Even the Fascist Dictator Phiboon Songkran Thailand’s most powerful ruler had a shot at ending it, but failed, discovering almost 800 years of history, deference and effeteness doesn’t pass easily and especially not in Thailand.

Edited April 21, 201610 yr by DrTuner

EU yada yada yada, so what. China and Russia eat fish and shrimp.

Wait for the Thai official to come out and say it's just one big misunderstanding and the EU is actually pleased with their non progress.

Shouldn't be long now.

Did not see that China or Russia are involved in slave labour

Thais appear to think that inaction is a sign of Thai superiority and smartness. They don't understand threats and cannot play the 'what if' game.

The only effective solutions I have ever found to changing Thai behaviour is to deliver a paralysing blow - either to the wallet or to the testicles (metaphorically). In other words, make their behaviour cost them (wallet) or take away their will to behave badly (metaphorical testicles).

This seems to focus their minds pretty well, and is lots better than continually threatening and not doing. One warning then hit them hard if they don't comply. They soon learn not to play mind and superiority games if they know you can hurt them or take away their toys or show them up for what they are so everybody in the international community can see.

Works every time. And makes it easier to deal effectively with the next joker as well - because there's always going to be another joker..

Edited April 22, 201610 yr by Winniedapu