Thailand will soon officially impose an import regulation to protect rice farmers following the implementation of zero tariffs under the Asean Free Trade Agreement (Afta) on January 1.

The Commerce Ministry will today seek the National Rice Policy Committee's approval for a measure that will allow only broken-rice imports for a limited duration.

Vichak Visetnoi, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, yesterday said Thailand would only allow broken-rice imports for supply to rice-product industries in May to July and August to October. These periods are not the main harvest season, thus ensuring a minimum impact on farmers and the market.

"The limitation on rice imports will help ensure domestic rice production will not be impacted as a result of AFTA's seamless trade, as those periods have the lowest production of rice," said Vichak.

Other measures protecting the market from a flood of low-price rice from neighbouring countries are import controls focusing on sanitary standards, rules of origin, pesticide use and quality contamination.

The ministry is also taking steps to ensure GMO (genetically modified organism) crops are excluded from entering the country.

Only rice-product manufacturers will be able to import rice under the proposed regime, with specific volumes declared to the government. Importers must have a clear objective for bringing in each shipment from neighbouring countries, so that the government can ensure the imports are not combined with Thai rice grains.

Thailand will only allow rice imports via six border checkpoints: Mae Sot in Tak, Mae Sai in Chiang Rai, Aranyaprathet in Sa Keaw, plus Nong Khai, Ranong and Bangkok port.

This is because they have the equipment and system to inspect the quality of rice, as well as the agencies responsible for rice imports.

Source: The Nation