Agriculture reiterates its clear position that the agricultural sector must not be disadvantaged Seize the interests of farmers first. If Thailand joins CPTPP
Dr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Revealed the issue of joining the Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement or CPTPP of Thailand that in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives are ready to negotiate the CPTPP agreement, which in the past the government and all parties, including government agencies, the people’s sector, and the civil society sector has studied in detail the issues of good and bad, and the readiness of Thailand The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives confirms that the Thai agricultural sector must not be disadvantaged. The negotiation framework will primarily rely on the interests of farmers if Thailand decides to join the CPTPP this time.
For the preparation of the negotiation framework for the commitments of the CPTPP in terms of effects on the agricultural sector, there are two main issues that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has. Must take into account is the plant species. and trade in products to Thailand, in which the plant species Conditions for joining the CPTPP agreement require participating countries to comply with the UPOV1991 Convention, a law that provides protection for new plant species. This caused many parties to worry about issues such as farmers being unable to keep plant propagation for further planting. and Thai plant seeds are monopolized which such issues Thailand needs a period of several years to adjust. Both understanding and creating awareness among people, farmers and all related sectors. agricultural sector preparation both in terms of the demand for plant varieties of farmers Transfer of knowledge and technology on breeding production and plant breeding development to farmers Preparation of the country’s plant genetic resources database to collect the characteristics of the native species For reference purposes to prevent the registration of native or local varieties for new plant varieties. as well as improvements Plant Varieties Protection Act B.E. 2542 (1999) requires consultation with all sectors to determine conditions for small-scale farmers to be able to keep their seeds for planting in the traditional way of farmers. and is under the appropriateness of the Thai context all of which Preparation time is required. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has set aside the issue of negotiating the right to reserve or request for a waiver to protect the interests of farmers. or negotiate for a period of time to adjust to prepare It will take approximately 10 years to be ready for the ratification of the UPOV1991 Convention.
trade in goods Because CPTPP members have canceled or reduced import duties at a very high level of 95 – 100 percent, of course. This will affect Thai agricultural products with less competitive potential, such as livestock products. and some fishery products Therefore, a period of time is needed to prepare and increase the competitiveness of farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs. It can be seen that the former member countries such as Japan and Vietnam Asking for a tax reduction period of up to 21 years. There are also concerns about the exemption of Special Safeguard (SSG) measures with CPTPP member countries, but in Thailand we have implemented SSG measures that are binding on the trade organization. World (WTO) for 23 agricultural commodities to cover the impact in the event of an abnormal increase in agricultural imports or an abnormally low import price. It can be seen from 2020 and 2021 that Thailand has taken advantage of SSG measures on coconut products to help farmers. which when the import exceeds the specified import quantity level will have to collect import duties at an increased rate, so the negotiations on trade issues Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Therefore, it is necessary to reserve the enforcement of SSG measures in Thailand for all 23 agricultural products as before.
“I would like to inform all farmers that Negotiating the Thai CPTPP Agreement in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives The interests of farmers are the most important. and please be assured Ministry of Agriculture Will consider in detail various issues covering all dimensions with due diligence. And if Thailand decides to join the CPTPP, the Ministry of Agriculture There will be preparation in terms of time, academic, technology, budget, personnel, and communication to understand farmers in the area. Which practices will have a negative impact on the agricultural sector and Thai farmers? Ministry of Agriculture ready to negotiate, reserve the right or request to refrain from doing so in order to protect the interests of farmers, in order for Thailand, the Thai agricultural sector and Thai farmers to get the most benefits after joining the CPTPP,” said the Minister of Agriculture.
The full name of the CPTPP agreement is Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement of Trans-Pacific Partnership Currently, there are 11 member countries: Japan, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. has expressed its intention to participate, and most recently, the People’s Republic of China has expressed his intention to join CPTPP in September 2021
