EU wants cleaner food
The European Union has suggested Thai exporters focus more on EU sanitary requirements for food imports, in order to increase the export value of Thai fruits and vegetables.
The EU, in cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry and its National Bureau of Agricultural Commodities and Food Standards held a seminar, "Doing Business with the EU - Improving Market Access for Safe Fruit and Vegetables", yesterday at Muang Thong Thani. The seminar was arranged on the sidelines of Thaifex World of Food Asia 2006. Thai fruits and vegetables are not afforded free-market access in the EU due to problems with quality. Thai goods would have a stronger potential in the EU if exporters were more concerned about sanitary requirements. A European Commission (EC) report said the EU imported ¤12.7 billion (Bt619 billion) worth of fresh fruits and vegetables in 2004. Of this, Thailand gained only 2 per cent of the market, or only about ¤251 million. "There is considerable potential for Thai fresh-food exports to the EU market, which is the largest importer of agricultural goods from developing countries," said EC representative Patrick Deboyser. Although the EU has restrictions on food imports, both local and foreign producers must follow the same rules. "The EU hopes Thailand and other countries will easily understand our regulations concerning healthcare for consumers and is able to increase export growth," said Deboyser. The EU launched new legislation on food hygiene requirements for imports from third countries at the beginning of the year. The requirements focus on pesticide residue in food, the use of chemicals, and traceability. Deboyser said the EU required a high standard of food safety and was prepared to pay a high price for imports. He said European governments had been encouraging consumers to buy more fruits and vegetables as a healthcare concern, so their consumption would increase. Somchai Channarongkul, deputy secretary-general of the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodities and Food Standards, suggested that Thai agricultural producers and exporters continue developing their food safety standards in view of the strong demand from consumers. Although exporters may feel some EU regulations exceed what is necessary, the government will consider the scientific evidence. Board of Trade deputy secretary-general Pornsilp Patcharintanakul said fresh fruit exports to the EU had been limited, because consumers there were not yet familiar with tropical fruit. Petchanet Pratruangkrai, The Nation
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