Thailand’s Department of Agriculture has established an approved exporters list in an effort to tighten controls on exports of fresh produce to the European Union (EU).
Only exporters on the list will be allowed to send certain products to the EU, vice-chairman of the Food and Agriculture Committee of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Chusak Chuenprayoth, told Fruitnet.com.
Authorised exporters would also be responsible for ensuring growers comply with sanitary and phytosanitary control systems as laid-out by the Department of Agriculture, he added.
The EU has also stipulated that Thai authorities inspect all shipments to the region, according to a report in the Bangkok Post.
The moves come following a threat by the EU to ban imports of certain Thai vegetables last December after persistent findings of pests and excessive chemical residues. The potential ban was targeted at fifteen vegetable lines across five groups and included basil, chillies, capsicums, eggplants, bitter gourds and parsley.
The EU has since eased its stance and will allow exports to continue under the proviso no more than 5 incursions are detected during a period of one year, effective from 15 March.
According to Freshfel food safety and environmental sustainability advisor Frédéric Rosseneu if a fifth incursion is detected the EU would most likely impose an import ban on one or more products.
“A number of interceptions have already been made earlier this year, which makes it likely that sanctions will eventually follow,” he added
President of the Thai Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association, Pathom Taenkam agrees it will be difficult for Thailand to comply with the EU stipulations.
“We’re worried about this EU requirement. If we cannot comply, it means a ban. We have about 200 vegetable exporters and that makes it difficult to control contamination,” said Mr Pathom.
However, export manager for export company Exoriens, Peyton Enloe, believes the Thai agricultural sector will benefit from an increased focus on good agricultural practice.
“One positive effect coming from this is that many farms will be working hard to achieve Thai or GlobalGAP accreditation. Most of our range of fresh produce is already Thai or GlobalGAP accredited, but these developments should be good for the industry as a whole,” he said.
Mr Pathom, however, believes many growers and exporters will struggle to bear the added cost of accreditation.
“The recent conditions pose problems, with the rise in costs, a shortage of farm labour, weather conditions and the stringent requirements of the EU regulations – these will all become factors exporters and growers will have to take into account when considering GlobalGAP accreditation.”
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