Anti-graft chiefs urge herbicide ban

Call for an open vote by govt committee

The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) yesterday joined a growing chorus for a ban on the use of three harmful farming chemicals and called on the National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) to hold an open vote on the proposed ban.

In a statement, the ACT, a coalition of big businesses campaigning for greater transparency, said the government must take a stance against the use of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos to assure the public it is not taking their health and safety lightly.

To promote transparency, the group said the NHSC which is authorised to make a decision on the proposed ban should hold an open vote on the issue with each member declaring their reasons as to why they vote for or against.

“The issue has direct and serious impacts on the livelihoods and health of the people so they have a right to know,” read the statement.

In an apparent bid to step up pressure on the 29-member committee, the group said all the ministries represented on the NHSC should also take a stance on the proposed ban and ensure that their committee members are fully briefed.

The government should also consider measures to alleviate hardship for farmers who may be affected by the ban, the group said. The three chemicals, especially paraquat, are popular among farmers due to a lack of alternatives and their low cost.

Chavalit Wichayasut, a Pheu Thai Party MP for Nakhon Phanom, yesterday urged Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on to make its stance clear, saying the minister’s actions did not correlate with his media interviews.

Mr Chavalit said while the minister promised to go ahead with the proposed ban, he also claimed the ministry could not do so unless it was the NHSC’s resolution. The NHSC, however, is made up of state officials from various agencies and these individuals are supposed to adhere to the ministries’ policies and guidelines, he said.

According to Mr Chavalit, both Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have made it clear they are opposed to the continued use and they are waiting for Mr Chalermchai to make his call.

“Public awareness of food safety is growing, and if you [Mr Chalermchai] decide not to get on board, you will be missing a chance to work with civic partners for farmers and consumers. It’s time to keep up,” said the Pheu Thai MP, who is also chairman of a special House committee on restricting the use of farm chemicals.

Hundreds of civic and consumer organisations led by the Thai Pesticides Alert Network have been campaigning for the three farm chemicals to be banned by the end of this year.

However, state officials sitting on the committee have reportedly been at odds with one another over the issue. The Health Ministry supports the ban, while the Industry and Agriculture ministries are of the opinion that farmers depend heavily on these herbicides.