EU urged to consider Thailand’s progress in combating IUU Fishing

BANGKOK, April 22 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has called on the European Union (EU) to take into account Thailand’s substantial and tangible progress in combating the Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. In response to the EU's decision on April 21 to issue a yellow card to Thailand for the alleged IUU Fishing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said although the yellow card does not introduce trade sanctions on the EU's imports of Thai fishery products, it has been a source of grave discouragement that the EU chose to ignore very earnest efforts over the past six months by the Thai government in addressing all issues deemed the causes of the IUU Fishing. The ministry acknowledged in its press release, issued on late Tuesday, that Thailand is deeply disappointed at the EU’s decision, which reflects the European trade bloc's failure to recognise the longstanding cooperation between Thailand and the EU’s competent authorities. The ministry noted that the Thai government is now firmly seizing the issue and it matches words with deeds by structural changes, law amendments and passage of new laws, prosecution and preventive measures as major instruments. Calling on the EU to consider Thailand’s substantial and tangible progress in combating the IUU Fishing, the ministry called for the EU’s assessment to be transparent, fair, non-discriminatory and based on accurate facts and latest developments. According to the official statement, Thailand will, however, continue to cooperate with the EU to combat IUU activities and promote sustainable fishing. In light of the progress made by the Thai government, the Foreign Ministry statement urged the EU to remove the yellow card at the earliest opportunity. The EU's issuance of the "yellow card" represents its final warning to Thailand and gives the Kingdom six months to improve measures against IUU Fishing or face an import ban on fishery products to the huge European trade bloc. (TNA)