January 3, 2007

Thailand worries over new US and Australian rules on shrimp exports
 

Thailand's Fisheries Department said that it is closely monitoring new health and safety standards in the United States and Australia as they may affect Thailand's shrimp trade in these two markets.

Most of Thailand's shrimp exports to the US goes to giant retailer Walmart, which recently required suppliers to gain aquaculture certification.

Processing plants, shrimp hatcheries and shrimp farms exporting to the US would be certified by the Missouri-based Aquaculture Certification Council. The council would inspect the foreign facilities and ensure they meet US social, environmental and food safety standards.

Thailand's Fisheries Department director-general Jaranthada Karnasuta said such measures could potentially affect export prices, making Thai products less competitive.

He said Thailand was negotiating for lower certification fees and would ask the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to look into the standardisation of food safety guidelines. A review of standards was necessary since there is wide variation from market to market.

Such unilateral practices are widespread, the Thai official noted, adding that suppliers would find it difficult to comply with varied and changing standards.

Thailand has proposed hosting a special FAO meeting to investigate the problem.

Jaranthada also noted that Australia, another major buyer, would ban foreign shrimps totally in 2008, on contamination and disease concerns. Thailand is working to have the ban lifted, he added.