Published on April 27, 2005

WARNING TO EXPORTERS: Follow the rules!

The Agriculture Department has warned exporters to strictly adhere to Australia’s import quality requirements to ensure the sale of their fruit.

Crop Promotion Research and Development Office director Supachai Keawmeechai yesterday said five Thai fruits – mangosteen, lychee, longan, durian and pineapple – were currently being exported to Australia.

However, at this time Thai exporters are focused only on exporting mangosteen, lychee and longan. The country’s combined total export volume of those three fruits reached 530 tonnes last year, of which longan gained the highest share of 263 tonnes, followed by mangosteen with 231 tonnes and lychee with 36 tonnes.

There have been problems with exporting durian because of Australia’s import restrictions, but that problem looks set to be solved, when durian is vacuum-packed to contain the strong smell it emits.

The new measures dealing with durian should be implemented by June. – The Nation.

SHRIMP TAX: Joint appeal to EU

Thailand has joined forces with its Asean partners to send a letter to the European Union demanding a review of tax privileges on its shrimp imports.

Thailand’s commercial counsellor in Brussels, together with counterparts from Indonesia and Vietnam, has sent a letter urging the EU’s Trade Committee review its generalised system of preferences (GSP), an import tax privilege programme. Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are among the Asean members whose shrimp exports were affected by an alteration of which countries received the GSP.

The move was a big blow, as exporters of shrimp products are predominantly reliant on the EU market.

Foreign Trade Department deputy director-general Nuntawan Sakun-tanark said shrimp farmers had faced dropping prices because of the loss of one of their key markets. A revision of EU’s GSP would help the country’s export situation. – The Nation.

PORK SMUGGLING: Govt crackdown

The Internal Trade Department is to launch stringent measures to crack down on the smuggling of Thai pork to neighbouring countries, in a bid to ease a surge in domestic prices.

Department director-general Siripol Yodmuangcharoen said pork was mainly exported to Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos. The moves would focus on traders and exporters who sell pork at unfair prices or are suspected of illegal exports.

“The measures aim to balance supply and demand in the country, to ensure fair price practices,” he said.

He said pork loins had increased in price from an average of Bt80-Bt85 per kilogram a few months ago to Bt100-Bt105 now. – The Nation.

BIOTECH FEED IN EU: Monsanto happy

Monsanto Co confirmed that 15 of its biotech products were among those included in the European Commission’s announcement allowing continued use of specific biotech traits in processed feed products shipped to the European Union.

“We are pleased to see the EU operate this aspect of its regulatory system as it was designed, which allows the processed feed market to remain open for US corn processors and growers,” Monsanto chief Hugh Grant said.

The EU’s action on these biotech products should result in additional marketing options for farmers who grow biotech grain, as some corn refiners may be able to expand their grain buying to include the biotech traits listed today.

“We believe that this news should provide additional encouragement to Thai farmers and exporters about the transparency of the EC’s regulatory framework and procedures,” a Mon-santo spokesman said. – The Nation.

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