January 16, 2007

Thailand to speed up drafting of Organic Marine Shrimp Production standards

Thailand's National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) is expediting the drafting of "Organic Marine Shrimp Production" standards.

Somchai Charnarongkul, the deputy director of ACFS, said AFCS is speeding up the drafting in the face of growing global demand for marine shrimps, especially tiger prawns.

The "Organic Marine Shrimp Production" standards would be able to boost the competitiveness of local shrimp farmers in the global market, he said.

Representatives of the government and private sectors, farmers, academics, and shrimp experts are involved in the drafting of the standards.

If the draft is approved, enforcement is expected in February 2007.