Europe’s association of fish processers and traders is calling on the European Commission to back the industry as it continues negotiations on a free trade agreement with Thailand.
Ahead of the third round of talks, scheduled for June in Brussels, AIPCE-CEP is urging the Commission to consider the concerns of the industry, and in particular exclude some tuna products from any deal in order to safeguard European production.
“Thailand holds a dominant position in the global tuna industry, particularly in canned and preserved tuna production and export,” said AIPCE-CEP in an open letter to the European Commission.
“Producing over 470,000 tonnes, accounting for more than 22% of the world’s total, and holding the largest export share at over 29%, Thailand’s impact on the global market is rather significant,” it continued.
“However, considerable differences in social, economic, and environmental standards between the European Union and Thailand have to be acknowledged, notably in areas such as combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and in the area of labour standards.
“This provides Thailand with a huge competitive advantage that we cannot challenge without duty protection.”
AIPCE-CEP is therefore encouraging the Commission to ‘adopt a defensive approach’ and asks for the following tuna tariffs to be excluded:
- Canned tuna (1604 14 21, 1604 14 28, 1604 14 31, 1604 14 38, 1604 14 41, 1604 14 48, 1604 14 90, 1604 19 39, 1604 20 70)
- Tuna loins (1604 14 26, 1604 14 36, 1604 14 36)
