Bangkok: "Napinthorn" urges the Department of Agriculture to urgently resolve the durian standard testing lab issue after Chinese customs did not certify 2 places, preparing to discuss with the Minister of Agriculture in the Cabinet on April 8. Mr. Napintorn Srisanpang, Deputy Minister of Commerce, highlighted the concerns arising from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) declining to certify test results from two Thai labs. These labs were responsible for certifying durians before export to China, following the detection of the Basic Yellow (BY2) dye. He emphasized that the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives must find an immediate solution due to the high volume of Thai durians pending export.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Napintorn reiterated the necessity of having certification processes that meet Chinese standards to ensure smoother export processes. He outlined the importance of aligning Thai lab capabilities with the specifications required by Chinese authorities. This alignment would lead to a 30% reduction in inspections by China, facilitating easier entry of Thai durians into the market.
Addressing concerns about the impact on future durian exports, Mr. Napinthorn acknowledged the potential challenges if the remaining labs fail to meet the necessary certification demands in time. He stressed the Department of Agriculture's role in providing transparent and reliable information to bolster China's confidence in Thailand's inspection systems. Mr. Napinthorn plans to discuss this critical issue with Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture, during the upcoming cabinet meeting on April 8.