Kuala Lumpur:Malaysia may impose similar requirements on Thai shrimp imports if Thailand continues its stringent testing and restrictions on Malaysian siakap, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin stated in the Dewan Rakyat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chan outlined that this could involve mandatory pre-export testing for Thai shrimp consignments, covering specific diseases, and a mutually agreed health certificate. The Malaysian government is currently prioritizing resolving the issue through bilateral technical and diplomatic negotiations based on scientific evidence.

Chan emphasized that should Thailand persist with its current requirements for Malaysian shrimp and restricts siakap imports to only two companies, Malaysia might need to enforce equivalent conditions on Thai shrimp.

He responded to a query from Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang) during a Special Chamber session regarding the effects of Thailand's aquaculture trade restrictions and Malaysia's strategy to overcome these non-tariff barriers.

Chan also mentioned that Malaysia could consider lifting restrictions on Thai shrimp if Thailand reopens market access for Malaysian shrimp without mandatory pre-export testing and broadens siakap entry facilitation to more Malaysian premises.

Despite a decline in shrimp exports to Thailand since the 2017 restrictions, local producers have successfully pivoted to alternative, higher-value markets. Malaysian exports to Singapore and China have performed well, with significant tonnage and revenue reported.

Negotiations with Thailand have shown progress, with Thailand accepting Malaysia's biosecurity control system and agreeing to provide green-lane facilities to compliant companies and local farms. Malaysia has proposed expanding these facilities to all eligible farms, collection centers, and exporters.