IUU fishing and labour slavery in Thailand

2.6.2015

Question for written answer E-008916-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE) , António Marinho e Pinto (ALDE) , Nils Torvalds (ALDE) , Enrique Calvet Chambon (ALDE) , Marian Harkin (ALDE) , Filiz Hyusmenova (ALDE) , Nathalie Griesbeck (ALDE)

On 21 April 2015 the Commission issued a yellow card to Thailand in line with the regulation on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU Regulation). This decision initiates a formal procedure of dialogue with the third-country authorities with a view to them taking the necessary corrective measures within the next six months. At the most recent meeting of the Committee on Fisheries (in camera), the Commission detailed the major shortcomings of Thailand’s fisheries management regime.

Thailand has been reported since 2013 for practices of modern slavery including forced labour, child labour and human trafficking (ILO report of 2013, Environmental Justice Foundation report of 2015). Most of this modern slavery has systematically been found in the Thai fishing chain industry.

Thailand is one of the main exporters of fish on the international market, especially to the EU and the US.

1. In the context of the regular dialogue with the Thai Government, what measures is the Commission taking to improve efforts to eradicate illegal fishing and modern slavery from seafood supply chains?

2. Is the Commission making this issue a priority in its diplomatic and trade relations with Thailand?

3. Should no corrective measures be duly taken by the Thai authorities, has the Commission assessed the impact of imposing a ban on imports from EU-flagged fishing vessels operating in Thai waters?