The Thai Marine Shrimp Farmers Association has urged the government to hold talks with Australia to drop a soon-to-be-launched Import Risk Analysis on imported shrimp, drawn up to protect Australian farmers.

Suraphol Pratuangtum, president of the association, said yesterday that the risk analysis would be a significant obstacle to Thai shrimp seeking access to the Australian market.

The association also plans to write to the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on the effect the measure could have on Thai shrimp exports.

Shrimp farmers from Queensland have urged the state government to draw up measures to protect more than 30 local farmers who are suffering from a flood of imported shrimp.

Australia conducted hearings with exporting countries, including Thailand, last November to invite comments before implementing the measures. The country gave 90 days for comments, a deadline which expires on February 21.

Suraphol said Australia had produced a scientific paper claiming that Thai shrimp could harbour a virus that harms consumers.

"Thailand has exported shrimp for more than 20 years and Australia is the first country to raise a scientific paper against us," he said, adding that the government should take action on this issue to protect the country's exports.

He said the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the Commerce Ministry should join forces to talk with Australia

about the impact on Thai shrimp exports. Moreover, they should accelerate sending comments to Australia.

"Both farmers and exporters are worried that if Thailand does nothing now, the industry will face export difficulties later and ultimately end up like the chicken industry, which cannot export," he said, pointing to the Australian demand that Thai chicken be boiled for at least two hours at a specific high temperature before export.

Thailand's shrimp exports to Australia totalled Bt1.88 billion or 7.44 tonnes from January to October last year. Thailand controls the lion's share in Australia and other export rivals are Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Fisheries Department will send a team to meet with Australian officials next week to present scientific papers the government has produced to prove Thai shrimp is safe from viruses.

Achara Pongvutitham

The Nation