EU to reassess Thailand's efforts to combat illegal fishing activities

[webfact]

EU to reassess Thailand's efforts to combat illegal fishing activities

BANGKOK, 14 June 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has said that the European Union will dispatch a committee to inspect the country’s progress on tacking illegal fishing activities, and denied news of a deadline extension, red or yellow card issuance, or any other pressure from the EU.

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Gen Chatchai Sarikalya revealed that, at the end of this month, the EU will send officials to inspect the progress of Thailand’s implementation of vessel monitoring systems and enforcement of related legislation. Gen Chatchai affirmed that officials have enforced the new Thai Fisheries Act of 2015 and have passed several organic farming laws. He also denied news that the EU had given Thailand a timeline extension, a red of yellow card, or any other form of pressure.

He also spoke of the recent verdict by the criminal court on corruption charges pertaining to a fertilizer procurement program by the previous Minister of Agriculture and related officials, saying it serves an important lesson for civil servants on ethics and work transparency.


-- NNT 2016-06-14

[Charlie1]

Lies over lies...

from the press release:

"He also denied news that the EU had given Thailand a timeline extension, a red of yellow card, or any other form of pressure."

And here the press release from the EU:

European Commission - Press release EU acts on illegal fishing: Yellow card issued to Thailand while South Korea & Philippines are cleared

Brussels, 21 April 2015

The European Commission has today put Thailand on formal notice for not taking sufficient measures in the international fight against illegal fishing (IUU).

As a result of a thorough analysis and a series of discussions with Thai authorities since 2011, the Commission has denounced the country's shortcomings in its fisheries monitoring, control and sanctioning systems and concludes that Thailand is not doing enough.

European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, stated: “Our EU rigorous policy on a harmful practice such as illegal fishing, together with our genuine capacity to act, is paying off. I urge Thailand to join the European Union in the fight for sustainable fisheries Failure to take strong action against illegal fishing will carry consequences.”

Today's Decision starts a formal procedure of dialogue with the Thai authorities to make them take the necessary corrective measures. They will be given six months to implement a corrective tailor-made action plan.

Should the situation not improve, the EU could resort to banning fisheries imports from Thailand. Such measure was taken in the past with Belize, Guinea, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. Imports from Belize were banned last year but due to the reforming efforts of the authorities they are now allowed.

[mtls2005]

Treat the EU inspectors like slaves from Myanmar; throw them overboard if they cause problems.

[chainarong]

Charlie 1 has put a new slant on an old topic , not much to add to that Charlie except one hopes some inspectors will visit without any knowledge from Thai authorities , and a good study of activities from satellite feed , I get the impression reasoning is now starting to get a bit strained and you couldn't believe any comment from a Thai authority not after this lot trying to white wash the subject...............................

[arrowsdawdle]

Obama and Hillary cannot say radical Islam and the EU cannot say slave labor fishing by Thailand.

Illegal fishing? What a load of crap.

[Baerboxer]

Obama and Hillary cannot say radical Islam and the EU cannot say slave labor fishing by Thailand.

Illegal fishing? What a load of crap.

Not really. There is the aspect of using slave forced labor, often non Thais who are imprisoned, treated as slaves and sometimes murdered. Then their are illegal fishing practices using in appropriate methods and/or catching inappropriate fish.

The EU seems to divide this into illegal fishing practices and human trafficking. Knowing the EU, it's probably different committees and different bureaucrats which is why you get each focusing on their own topic.

I wonder how many will turn up as "this committee", what their qualifications are, how they will carry out their checks, and what, if any, use is made of the bureaucrats permanently based in the EU office in Bangkok. My experience, sadly, makes me think it's jolly nice trips and postings for the boys and girls.

[Baerboxer]

Obama and Hillary cannot say radical Islam and the EU cannot say slave labor fishing by Thailand.

Illegal fishing? What a load of crap.

Not really. There is the aspect of using slave forced labor, often non Thais who are imprisoned, treated as slaves and sometimes murdered. Then their are illegal fishing practices using in appropriate methods and/or catching inappropriate fish.

The EU seems to divide this into illegal fishing practices and human trafficking. Knowing the EU, it's probably different committees and different bureaucrats which is why you get each focusing on their own topic.

I wonder how many will turn up as "this committee", what their qualifications are, how they will carry out their checks, and what, if any, use is made of the bureaucrats permanently based in the EU office in Bangkok. My experience, sadly, makes me think it's jolly nice trips and postings for the boys and girls.