March 26, 2007

Thai shrimp farmers call for boycott of Australian products

Thai shrimp farmers plan to boycott Australian goods soon if the country fails to cancel its Import Risk Analysis against shrimp imported from Thailand.

The association would allow 30 days before launching a boycott campaign against products from Australia for imposing strict standards on Thai shrimps, Thai Marine Shrimp Farmers' Association president Surapol Pratuangtum said.

Shrimp associations throughout Thailand yesterday went to the Agriculture Ministry to meet with Minister Thira Sutabutra to know about progress in Thai trade retaliation against Australia.

The measure would directly damage small farmers, Pratuangtum said.

Australia's move may lead to other shrimp-importing countries following in Australia's footsteps and demanding the same strict standards of their shrimps, he added.

Pratuangtum urged dialogue between the two governments to resolve the issue.