Press release: EU shared experiences with Thai authorities on the control of animal diseases
PRESS RELEASE
The European Union shared experiences with Thai authorities on
the control of animal diseases
5 June 2018, Bangkok - Thailand and EU trade in animal and animal products has a significant growth potential taking into consideration the already developed Thai agricultural sector. However, an outbreak of serious animal disease may lead to an immediate, country-wide, trade suspension of livestock between both parties, causing unnecessary economic damage for operators located outside the outbreak area.
The regionalisation system of the EU, established in line with World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) standards and the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is a tool used to control diseases and/or maintain safe trade by restricting areas affected by threatening disease, whilst avoiding trade disruptions from unaffected areas. When a serious animal disease is detected in a part of any Member State, the EU imposes restrictions on trade in the relevant animals/products only from that area.
Recognising the importance of protecting consumer safety, maintaining animal health and at the same time facilitating trade of animal and animal products between the EU and Thailand, the European Commission and the Department of Livestock Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives co-organized an international seminar on Control of Animal Diseases- Regionalisation, held on Tuesday, 5th of June 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.
The seminar aimed at strengthening the EU-Thailand regulatory dialogue by disseminating information with regard to the EU system for the recognition of regionalisation, deepening understanding of the implementation of EU's animal disease control as well as fostering the established platform for exchanging information on the implementation of regionalisation within the EU and Thailand.
The one-day seminar on animal disease control brought together senior officials of the relevant Thai authorities and representatives of the European Commission, EU Member States, industrial representatives, academia as well as other stakeholders under one roof.
The welcoming remarks, which also highlighted the significance of the Seminar, were introduced by Mr. Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Thailand, and Dr. Sorravis Thaneeto, Director-General Department of Livestock Development. The keynote address was delivered by Mr Michael Scannell, Director of Food Chain, Stakeholder and International Relations, Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Safety (SANTE), EU Commission, who highlighted the significance of international standards in supporting trade in animal products; while giving a brief outlook at the bilateral trade relations with Thailand: "The EU is proving its capacity to maintain animal health in the Single Market of twenty eight Member States every day for the benefit of 500 million consumers. We are pleased that Thailand is engaging in this dialogue with a view to strengthen our bilateral trade in livestock products".
Background information:
The EU is the third overall trading partner and third most important export destination for Thai goods. In 2017, trade with the EU (€37 bn) accounted for nearly 10% of Thailand's total international trade while exports to the EU (€22 bn) also represented 10% of the country's overall exports.
With regards to trade in agricultural products, the EU is a net importer of food from third countries. The EU is world's largest importer of agricultural products. The EU imports more agricultural products from developing countries, including upper middle income countries like Thailand, than the US, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand combined. Around 70% of the EU imports of agricultural goods come from developing countries.
Thailand is one of EU's key suppliers for agricultural products. In 2017, the EU imported agricultural and fisheries products from Thailand worth €3.3 bn. Key imports of Thai agricultural goods to the EU includes poultry, rubber, canned fruit & vegetables, rice and rice products, tapioca, fruit and vegetables and fisheries and fisheries products.
For more information regarding the EU's control of animal diseases, please visit:
https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animal-diseases_en
Presentations from the seminar
Media Contacts:
at the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand
Ms Ratanaporn BISTUER
Tel. 02 305 2600