Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission is closely monitoring the current revision of the 2015 fisheries legislation. On several occasions, Thailand has been made aware that any substantive relaxation of the current rules in place to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing would not be acceptable and that the EU is reserving its right to consider adopting measures as foreseen by EU Council Regulation No 1005/2008[1] (IUU Regulation), if necessary. On social conditions, the Forced Labour Regulation[2] will empower the EU to prohibit and remove a product from the single market if it is demonstrated to involve forced labour. The directive on corporate sustainability due diligence[3] will also ensure that businesses address in their value chains, inside and outside Europe, any adverse impacts of their actions as regards human rights, labour rights and environmental considerations.
2. In the negotiating rounds held so far on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Thailand, the treatment of individual products has not yet been discussed. Discussions will start in the coming months and will include consultations with relevant stakeholders. Economically sensitive sectors are subject to specific modalities for market access which aim at preventing any market disturbances. As the negotiations enter a more advanced stage, a Sustainability Impact Assessment will be carried out in order to provide an in-depth analysis of their potential economic, social, human rights, and environmental impacts.