Asean plans to set up body to certify shrimp

AGRICULTURE

The Asean Shrimp Alliance (ASA) is working to establish a regional certification body to verify the production standards of shrimp raised in member countries for exports.

The move, discussed at a meeting in Bangkok yesterday, aims at lessening pressure from buying countries, which have set different restrictive standards against imported shrimp and other types of aquacultural produce.

While the standards, considered by some as safeguard measures, share some similarities, they eventually add to shrimp farmers' costs, according to Somying Piumsombun, the director-general of the Fisheries Department.

"They have to change their production practices to comply with those standards, a move that erodes their export competitiveness," she said.

According to Dr Somying, many Asean countries have played an important role in the world shrimp industry and their production standards are in line with international benchmarks recognised in the global market.

Thailand's shrimp farming, for example, complies with the Thai government's good agricultural practice, which is by no means inferior to the standard set by ACC (Aquaculture Certification Council) of the US, she said.

"The Thai shrimp industry had in the past suffered from nitrofuran residues but we later solved the problem with a lot of improvements and efforts," she said.

Dr Somying said she believes that some countries have imposed restrictive import standards not only to protect local consumers but also for commercial purpose. Tighter rules could end up pushing the prices of imported products.

She admitted that the establishment of the Asean certification body might not be completed in the near future. In any case, the two-day discussion at the ASA's forum ending today would show promising results with clearer guidelines for further works.

ASA was formed in 2007 by Asean members, especially major shrimp producing and exporting countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

These countries have played a significant role in Asia and helped transformed the region into the world's major shrimp production base, accounting for nearly 85% of world production. The major markets of shrimp products are the United States, European Union, and Japan.

Thailand alone produced about 500,000 tonnes of shrimp last year. Of the total output, 90% was exported, generating income of about 80 billion baht. Half of the exports were destined for the US market.

Dr Somying said that the organisation aims to help improve shrimp farming among member countries and overcome export obstacles.

Despite low rejection rates, importers keep setting more purchasing conditions in terms of standards certification such as diseases and some non-tariff barriers over the past five years.