EU to Discuss IUU Fishing with Thai Officials in January

BANGKOK, Dec 20 (TNA) - Senior officials of the European Union (EU) are scheduled to meet Thai government officials in Bangkok next month to discuss the progress made by the Thai government in its efforts to stop an illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing problems, said a spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Spokesman Sek Wannamethee said the upcoming meeting is considered “constructive” between Thailand and the EU aimed at solving IUU problems as well as developing Thai fishing management. Mr. Sek said talks would focus on the latest development and future actions to be taken by the Thai government in order to solve problems on the sustainable basis and the close cooperation between the EU and the Thai government would help achieve reform in the Thai fishing industry. In April, the EU yellow-carded the Thai fishing industry giving the country six months to fix its IUU fishing or face an expensive ban on seafood exports into the EU. The alleged human trafficking in the Thai fishing industry is another significant issue by the EU and it would give a good opportunity for Thai officials to inform EU authorities on the government determination to suppress the problem and to take actions against the traffickers as well as on revising laws allowing migrant workers to work in the fishing industry, said Mr. Sek. He said the EU is pleased to learn that the Thai government is determined and sincere in solving the problem. No matter what the outcome of the discussion is, every Thai sector must help in solving the problem so that the Thai fishing industry could meet international standards, Mr. Sek added. (TNA)