May 16, 2002–Bangkok, Thailand–Over the next month, Thailand’s Commerce Ministry said it would enforce stricter rules on imported food and agricultural items. The country’s goal is to decrease the amount of contaminants and additives being imported into the region.

Initial products that were affected include imported wine and powdered milk. Deputy Commerce Minister Suvarn Valaisathien told the Associated Press, " the measures were not meant as retaliation against the European Union (EU), which recently strengthened controls on Thai shrimp imports, but that they were an effort to improve Thailand’s own food safety standards."

In March, the EU requested that its 15 member nations begin testing for antibiotics in all shrimp and chicken imports from Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Because it’s a major importer of agro industrial products, Thailand is said to be sensitive to possible barriers to its goods. The country insists that its products meet sanitary standards and at often times complains those standards are being unfairly applied as informal trade barriers, according the AP article.