Experiences in the application of HACCP for export and local markets : the case of thai fisheries

As a result of increasing international trade in fish products and the high risk of contamination, the fisheries sector has been one of the priority industries for the introduction of HACCP systems. Thailand has successfully introduced HACCP in the industry on a wide scale, and has become one of the world's top exporters of processed fish products. Success has been possible thanks to a close collaboration between industry and the Thai Department of Fisheries. This article describes the difficulties encountered and lessons learnt since the introduction of the program in 1991, and raises questions concerning some unresolved areas – notably the extension of these quality control systems to primary production, to small-scale firms and firms focusing on the domestic market, and the need for further research to support quality control in the tropical fisheries area.