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EU warns Thailand to address slavery, rights issues in seafood industry after AP probe

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European Union Commissioner for Fisheries Karmenu Vella, right, and Ghana\'s Minister of Fisheries Sherry Ayittey participate in a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. Ayittey met with the European Commission on Friday to discuss the progress that has been made in the fight against illegal fishing. (AP Photo/Francois Walschaerts)

BRUSSELS – The European Union is warning Thailand it should “promptly” address the human rights and slavery issues that have dogged their seafood industry if it wants to stave off an EU seafood import ban.

The warning came after several investigative reports by The Associated Press that focused on slavery in the seafood industry and resulted in the rescue of 2,000 men.

EU Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella said Friday that even though the 28-nation bloc was primarily assessing Thailand’s improvements in stamping out illegal fishing, there was no sidestepping the slavery issue.

Last April, Thailand, the world’s third-largest seafood exporter, was given a warning to improve its fisheries practices or face an export ban. Annual Thai exports to the EU are estimated to be worth between 575 million and 730 million euros.

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The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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