Thailand will show "solid progress" in resolving fishing and labour practices at the next meeting with European Union officials in Bangkok in July, a senior Thai official said.
Adisorn Promthep, director-general of the Fisheries Department, told the Bangkok Post that Thai officials have been making steady progress in efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The EU has earlier threatened to impose a ban on Thai seafood products unless the industry is cleaned up.
"We will show them solid progress at the July meeting," Mr Adisorn said in response to an Associated Press story quoting a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon which said the meeting in July "will be a crucial opportunity for Thailand to present robust measures".
The letter, co-signed by EU Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella and EU Social Affairs Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, said barring a breakthrough on the issue next month and "tangible progress" by year's end, a ban might follow.
The letter said Thailand, the world's third-largest seafood supplier with 8.1% of global fishing exports, needs the wealthy European market to maintain its seafood prominence. Thai seafood exports to the EU are estimated to be worth between €575 million and €730 million ($650 million and $825 million) annually, according to the AP.
Mr Adisorn said it was in the interest of the country to put in place "real reform" for the fishing industry, which takes time and continuous efforts as Thai authorities have been changing rules and regulations to meet international standards.
