FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

EU extension likely to resolve IUU issues

EU extension likely to resolve IUU issues

Source says group acknowledges Pm prayut’s seriousness in tackling problem and efforts made since last year

The European Union is expected to give Thailand three more months to solve the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing issue as an evaluation is due this month, according to diplomatic sources in Bangkok, after the country got a “yellow card” warning one year ago.
The source said that the EU is interested in helping Thailand improve the situation concerning the IUU problem instead of issuing a “red card” as suggested by some authorities.
“We want to help Thailand get its act together,” the EU source said.
Thailand’s adaptation of a new legal framework to tackle IUU problems and enforcement of labour and human rights laws is still lagging behind schedule, even though the country had already taken many steps to improve the situation following last year’s issuing of the “yellow card”.
If the country is issued a “red card”, it could lead to an import ban on Thai seafood in the 28-country EU market. Thai seafood exports to the EU are worth more than Bt20 billion annually.
The EU source said the yellow card was meant for Thailand to improve IUU and related human rights conditions, but EU authorities were still “disappointed” over the outcome.
Still, they were willing to give the country more time.
According to EU sources, the next evaluation should take place after July, resulting in a three-month extension from May.
The source said EU authorities understand that Thailand cannot change the legal and related systems governing fisheries overnight since legal and other measures need time to make progress.
EU authorities have also recognised that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is serious about trying to solve the IUU problems as reflected by his dissatisfaction over the delay in tackling the problems.

Red-flagged
The director-general of the Fisheries Department was recently transferred to an inactive post.
Thai authorities are not certain what action will be taken by the EU after the country has spent the past year solving IUU and related labour problems.
However, the Thai private sector expects the EU, one of Thailand’s major trading partners, to extend the “yellow card” warning period.
Besides the IUU problems, Thailand also recently submitted an update on its measures aimed at tackling human trafficking problems to the US State Department.
US authorities are expected to announce the annual evaluation of Thailand and other countries for the Trafficking In Persons report around July.
On aviation safety, Thailand was also red-flagged by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for its “Significant Safety Concern” status.
Thai aviation authorities in March submitted their plan to tackle the problems concerning the standards of locally registered airlines and airports, pilot qualifications and licensing and other measures to the ICAO, a United Nations agency.
ICAO representatives will be invited to observe progress periodically, as Thai authorities expect to complete their work to regain its confidence and gain its approval for removal of the red flag in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

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