A report from the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) published on Friday 3 February concludes that there are weaknesses in the official control system that applies to exports to the EU of Thai fishery products derived from tuna species.
The objective of the audit that was carried out between 24 May and 2 June 2016 was to assess whether Thai products derived from tuna species meet the requirements laid down in European Union legislation (Regulation 2074/2005 on official controls).
The European Commission experts concluded that the official control system implemented by the Thai authority is based on legislation and procedures sufficient to provide the guarantees required in the European Union export certificate.
The audit, however, revealed “weaknesses that can be considered systemic” in the control of the transport of fishery products of tuna species from carriers to the first land-based establishment, the control of cold stores and the European Union eligibility of the imported raw materials. “These weaknesses do not allow the competent authority to fully provide the guarantees required by the European Union export certificate when exporting fishery products of tuna species to the European Union”, states the report, which puts recommendations to the Thai authority competent to rectify identified shortcomings and enhance the control system in place.
Elsewhere, a delegation from the European Parliament’s fisheries committee was in Thailand from 31 October to Friday 4 November 2016 to assess the efforts made by the country in tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing (see EUROPE 11661). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)