SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton — June 24, 2014 — In Bangkok today, eight major Thai seafood trade associations held a news conference to deny that they are using any forced labor.
Prior to the press conference, Thiraphong Chansiri, President of Thai Union Frozen Products, said he was disappointed in the US downgrade that suggested Thailand’s remedial efforts were insufficient.
“WE had hoped the continued concerted effort by the Thai fishing industry and relevant government units to eradicate illegal and unethical labor practices would maintain or move Thailand up from Tier 2”, he told the Bangkok Post.
Poj Aramwattananont, President of the Thai Frozen Foods Association, said that “We want to assure the public the fishing operators who are association members have not breached labor laws.”
He also said that it will be 90 days before the US decides on sanctions, if any, on Thai producers.
Four associations represent the Thai shrimp supply chain: The Thai Frozen Food Association (which all shrimp exporters belong to); The Thai shrimp Association, which represents farmers, the Thai Feed Mill association, representing feed producers, and the Thai Fishmeal Producers Association, representing fishmeal producers.
All shrimp exporters are members of TFFA. There are mandatory programs such as GMP and HACCP for health and sanitation purposes, administered by the Thailand Department of Fisheries. Customers also require Social Responsibility Audit to ensure that environmental and ethical standards are met. A Good Labor Practice (GLP) Program by the Ministry of Labor and the Department of Fisheries is being implemented, with ILO as advisor and co-facilitator.
Concerning the Child and Forced Labor issue, TFFA has continuously worked with Local and National authorities to improve and monitor the work places along the supply chain. Any member found violating the Ethical Code will be expelled. The latest TIP Report mentioned only one case about shrimp : a peeling shed prosecuted in 2009.
The abuses documented in the TIP report no longer are in factories or subcontractors used by Thai Producers, but are on illegal and unregistered fishing vessels.
Shrimp farmers provide full traceability for shrimp down to fry and feed. Farm operations are also audited for Good Aquaculture Practices mainly for environmental concern.
There has never been any allegation of Child or Forced Labor among Thai shrimp farmers.
14 TFMA members produce shrimp feed. At present about 350,000 tons of shrimp feed were annually sold to farmers. This translates to 100,000 tons of fishmeal needed as ingredient along with imported soybean meal. TFMA members buy fishmeal from traceable fishmeal producers.
Because the process is highly automated and not labor intensive, there is no issue with labor abuse in feed production.
The Thai Fish Meal Producers Association currently has 74 members. Raw materials going into fishmeal production come from fish processing plants as well as local by catch. Fishmeal to be used for shrimp feed demands high protein content and brings higher price than average. For the 100,000 tons annual need, 65,000 tons are from big processing plants using imported fish, mainly tuna. The 35,000 tons demand comes from local by-catch are easily met by registered fishing boats. Members of the Fish Meal association do not purchase from unregistered fishing vessels.
This structure in Thailand means that the infrastructure is in place for auditing and clarifying that the Thai shrimp supply chain is not engaged in using forced or abusive labor practices, and in fact is a leader in trying to stamp out such practices.
At the news conference Poj said that by July 15th, they hoped to bring proof to US authorities that Thai shrimp and tuna industries are not involved in either child labor or forced labor, and should not be included in any sanctions.
“We are confident in our evidence, but are not sure of their decision,” said Poj.
This story originally appeared on Seafood.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.