Thai Government urged to propose discussion concerning on Australia’s draft IRA
In November 2006 the Australian Government acting through Biosecurity Australia (BA) released the Revised Draft Generic Import Risk Analysis Report for Prawns and Prawn Products (IRA) to its stakeholders. The IRA pointed out that imported shrimp can cause some effects on the wild aquatic animals and shrimp industry in Australia. The draft report has been issued to give all interested parties an opportunity to comment and to draw attention to any errors, misinterpretations, typographical errors, and gaps in the data. Any comments should be submitted to BA before 21 February 2007.
Dr. Jaranthada Karnasuta, Director General of the Department of Fisheries (DOF), Thailand stated that the revised draft IRA was taken as a vital information. Thus, DOF immediately created a scientific committee to prepare the scientifically-supported document, which was submitted on 7 February 2007. The committee has also scheduled to undertake a formal visit to BA to discuss and elucidate the details of the DOF document on 13-15 February 2007.
To pay more attention on the issue, other related sectors such as the Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperative (MOAC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Ministry of Commerce (MOC) collaborate with DOF in the discussion of the details of this IRA in order to come up with solutions. Furthermore, MAF will tackle political and diplomatic issues while issues related to commerce will be stimulated by MOC.