April 18, 2007

 

Thailand's seafood exporters continue to oppose Australia's shrimp rules

 

 

Australia's plan to implement strict import requirements for shrimp continued to draw the ire of Thailand's shrimp producers.

 

Even though Australia accounts for only 5 percent of Thailand's shrimp exports, and ranks sixth among Thailand's top shrimp customers, it imported nearly Bt 2.4 billion of shrimp last year.

 

The National Food Institute of Thailand warned that Thailand would lose all of that should Australia implement the requirements.

 

Thai shrimp exporters said the requirements were drawn up to protect Australian shrimp producers rather than to inspect for contaminants and diseases.

 

Thailand's largest export market for shrimp is the US, followed by the EU, Japan, Canada and South Korea.

 

Australia's Import Risk Analysis assesses diseases that may pose a threat to human beings. This data will be used to impose an "Acceptable Level of Protection" (ALOP).

 

The measure will concentrate on closely monitoring five diseases: white-spot syndrome virus, yellowhead virus, taura syndrome virus, infectious hypodermal and haematpoietic necrosis virus and necrotising hepatopancreatitis bacterium.

 

Australia will import shrimp only from countries that have not had widespread exposure to these viruses.

 

In addition, shrimp products like tempura shrimp and shrimp balls are required to be boiled and certified by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

 

Thai exporters said the measure would protect Australia's farmers but force consumers to pay more for their shrimps.