Bangkok: Suriya is preparing a letter to the Malaysian Minister of Agriculture to expedite negotiations regarding the suspension of Thai shrimp imports. Suriya revealed that Thailand has submitted complete clarification to Malaysia regarding its shrimp import measures. He also announced a review of inspection procedures for imported sea bass to streamline processes and reduce processing time. He emphasized Thailand's readiness to utilize government-to-government cooperation mechanisms to resolve the issue. If departmental-level discussions fail to reach a conclusion, a letter will be sent to the Malaysian Minister of Agriculture for direct negotiations.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, addressed the issue of Malaysia suspending imports of five types of Thai shrimp, stating that the Department of Fisheries has submitted clarifications in response to all inquiries from the Malaysian authorities and has received positive feedback. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is ready to proceed with negotiations with the Malaysian authorities to reach a mutually agreeable solution as soon as possible. Furthermore, he has instructed the Department of Fisheries to review the inspection measures for imported sea bass from Malaysia to determine which procedures can be improved with technology to enhance inspection efficiency and reduce processing time, while maintaining strict food safety standards, in order to build confidence between both sides.
The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives stated that the issue should be resolved through cooperation mechanisms between the two governments, as it involves trade measures and food hygiene standards. This requires policy-level discussions coupled with technical agencies to foster mutual understanding and minimize the impact on farmers and businesses on both sides. "Reciprocal retaliation between the two countries is unproductive. What needs to be done is to have discussions to find a mutually acceptable solution that yields beneficial results," Mr. Suriya said.
If discussions at the Department of Fisheries level fail to reach a resolution, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is prepared to escalate negotiations to the ministerial level. Mr. Suriya stated that he is ready to write to the Malaysian Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to discuss and expedite the resolution of this issue directly. He further added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has been continuously coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce to support negotiations and reach a joint resolution as quickly as possible. He affirmed that the government has a duty to support the private sector and farmers in enhancing their competitiveness and maintaining the country's key export markets. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is preparing to hold discussions with the Thai Shrimp Association to hear proposals for the sustainable development of the Thai shrimp industry, both in the short and long term. Proposals from the private sector will be incorporated into determining solutions and enhancing the potential of the Thai shrimp industry.