Cabinet gives nod for Asean agreement on agri-products standards

The Multilateral Arrangement for the Mutual Recognition of Agri-food Standards and Conformity Assessment was proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Deputy Government Spokesperson Rachada Thanadirek said on Tuesday (June 23).
“The ministry has proposed Thailand’s policies toward the arrangement with an aim to reduce non-tariff barriers in trading of agri-food products among Asean’s members,” she said.
The policies are:
1. Set up Asean’s standards in manufacturing system of forage plants for animal and fishery farming as well as regulations related to mutual recognition of agri-food standards and conformity assessment among Asean members.
2. Set up the scope and criteria in accepting the results of mutual recognition of agri-food standards and conformity assessment among Asean members.
3. Develop a coordination mechanism among Asean members in accepting the results of mutual recognition of agri-food standards and conformity assessment, under the conditions of regional import and export agreement.
4. Consider other aspects of the multilateral arrangement such as conflict resolution, transparency, amendment and enforcement period, as well as ways of increasing the roles of Asean members in related international agreements.

The Asean Mutual Recognition Arrangement Task Force, under Asean Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF), will hold a meeting to discuss the multilateral arrangement within June.