These remarks were made Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the conference, keeping in mind the EU is currently negotiating free trade agreements with Thailand.
Maintaining the current tariff system is a "must-have" for regulating access to the EU canned tuna market from third countries, specifically for Asian giants such as Thailand and Vietnam, Vieites said.
Both conditions are "essential" to maintain balance not only at a European level but in the global tuna market, Vieites said, adding that tuna is regarded as a "sensitive product" by the European Commission (EC) in such negotiations.
The statement read by Vieites also called on the EC to ensure "the same playing field in which the European industry can compete with third country industries, which should comply with similar standards as the EU in “food respect for the environment , in order to ensure a truly fair competition in the EU market.
"The EC should safeguard the future of the EU tuna industry and ensure their economic and social viability," Vieites said.
Galicia is home to Spain's tuna canning industry, and the Vigo conference drew representatives from 29 countries, all of whome, naturally, did not see eye to eye with the European stand.
At the end of this declaration, somebody in the audience asked Chanintr Chalisarapong -- vice-president of the Thai Food Processors Association and chairman of the Thai Tuna Group -- whether he saw double standards in the EU industry calling for strict regulations in importing canned tuna products, and not on importing tuna loins, as they are raw material for the European tuna industry, and whether there may be political motivations behind EJF's report on human rights abuse in the Thai fishing industry.
Chalisarapong answered the EJF report was based on a Thai police report, and unfortunately such practices had been going on for some years, but the Thai seafood industry was taking steps to protect its migrant workers, who are the “backbone” of the industry, and it is in the Thai seafood industry to protect its workers.
As to the calls for an even playing field, the Thai representative retorted that the field should indeed be fair, so Thailand should not be singled out when it comes to slapping import duties.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
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