Malaysia Needs To Consider Equivalent Requirements On Thai Shrimp - Chan

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs to consider imposing equivalent requirements on imports of Thai shrimp if the neighbouring country continues to require pre-export testing for every shrimp consignment and restricts the entry of Malaysian siakap (barramundi) into the country, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the measure would include mandatory pre-export testing for every consignment covering an agreed list of diseases, as well as a mutually agreed health certificate.

He said the government’s priority at present was to resolve the dispute through bilateral technical and diplomatic negotiations based on scientific evidence.

“If Thailand maintains the requirement for pre-export testing for every Malaysian shrimp consignment and restricts the facilitation of siakap imports to only two companies, Malaysia needs to consider imposing equivalent requirements on Thai shrimp,” he said.

He said this during a Special Chamber session of the Dewan Rakyat in response to a question from Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang) on the impact of Thailand’s aquaculture trade restrictions and the government’s strategy to address the non-tariff barriers.

However, Chan said Malaysia could consider lifting the restrictions on Thai shrimp if the country agreed to reopen market access for Malaysian shrimp without mandatory pre-export testing for every consignment and expand the facilitation of entry to eligible Malaysian siakap premises.

On the impact of the restrictions, he said although shrimp exports to Thailand had declined since the restrictions were imposed in 2017, local operators had successfully shifted their focus to higher-value alternative markets.

“The restrictions on shrimp exports to Thailand since 2017 have resulted in our exports declining to 3,024 tonnes worth RM6.9 million in 2024.

“However, alternative markets besides Thailand have performed well. For example, we exported 10,000 tonnes worth RM176 million to Singapore, while China imported 5,000 tonnes worth RM166 million,” he said.

On the progress of negotiations with Thailand, he said the country had in principle accepted Malaysia’s biosecurity control system and agreed to provide green-lane facilities to companies and local farms that meet the standards.

He added that Malaysia, during negotiations with Thailand this year, had proposed that the facility be expanded to all farms, collection centres and exporters that meet the requirements.

-- BERNAMA