Govt unlikely to ban deadly farm chemical

By CHULARAT SAENGPASSA 
THE NATION 

 

 

PANEL DOMINATED BY AGRO-INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS WILL DECIDE ON PROPOSED BAN
 

THE chances of winning government approval to ban paraquat, a toxic chemical widely used in agriculture as a herbicide for weed and grass control, are relatively slim, according to the BioThai Foundation.

 

The non-government organisation said in a statement that the subcommittee tasked with vetting the ban mostly represented agro-industrial interests, so there was only a 30 per cent chance a ban would be approved during its meeting tomorrow.

 

More than 40 countries have banned or restricted the use of paraquat due to its toxicity. In Thailand, the Public Health Ministry and a working group on high-risk chemicals used in agriculture have recommended the government impose a ban.

 

However, according to law, the Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry is authorised to lead the decision-making process on whether to ban chemicals used in the farm sector.

 

The 14-member subcommittee tasked with deliberating on the paraquat issue is dominated by the agriculture ministry and related agencies, which are seen to represent the interests of the agro-industrial sector.

 

According to BioThai, public health, environmental protection and other related agencies generally have the authority in other countries to impose bans on the use of chemicals that have high public-health risks.

 

In the past, teams from Mahidol, Chulalongkorn and Naresuen universities have been commissioned to conduct research on the effects of paraquat residues in the environment.

 

At least two members of the subcommittee – the representatives from the Food and Drug Administration and Public Health Ministry – are expected to push for a ban on the herbicide.

 

Prokchol Ousap, coordinator of Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN), said while an outright ban is unlikely, the subcommittee may impose the “restricted use” requirement on paraquat.

 

In this event, according to BioThai, there would then be challenges over enforcement of the “restricted use” condition.

 

Prokchol urged the subcommittee to disclose the result of the vote publicly before it is forwarded to a multiagency committee in charge of controlling the use of toxic chemicals.

 

Over the past year, Thailand’s imports of paraquat have totalled about Bt1 billion.

 

According to the Anti-corruption Organisation of Thailand, an NGO, the paraquat issue has gained a lot of attention on social media. 

 

A recent survey showed that it reflected public concern about alleged corrupt practices at the Agriculture Ministry.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30341711

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-26

It would be loss of face and destroy the image of Thailand if they did ban it.

In my neck of the woods, the farmers seemingly spray all the time. And then throw empty chemical bottles in the drainage ditches. On some days one can smell the chemicals wafting in the breeze.

 

 

The problem is the farmers and application, once again the carefree attitude of the Thais where "nothing matters"

9 minutes ago, missoura said:

In my neck of the woods, the farmers seemingly spray all the time. And then throw empty chemical bottles in the drainage ditches. On some days one can smell the chemicals wafting in the breeze.

 

 

Same around here due to their filthy lazy habits you can see old  bottles  and packets of chemicals everywhere, i guarantee  after Ive seen them spray anything if  you walk to that area  you will find the old  packets strewn on the ground

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The 14-member subcommittee tasked with deliberating on the paraquat issue is dominated by the agriculture ministry and related agencies, which are seen to represent the interests of the agro-industrial sector.

money over public health, nothing new there

In this event, according to BioThai, there would then be challenges over enforcement of the “restricted use” condition.

Of course it should be banned, but the above quote says it all! Farmers have a complete disregard for the law! There is supposed to be a ban on field burning at the moment, but the practice still continues unabated! I have yet to see the police rushing to the scene to arrest the law breakers!

Sent from my X98 Plus II (C2D6) using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

I see the guy in the photo above wearing standard farming/construction safety shoes (flip-flops). Also seen many of locals using these chemicals with shorts & no masks.

I wonder what the length of life statistics are compared to the locals who are not exposed to these chemicals, but just the clean air here.

I guess most of the population eats these chemically treated harvests, so what's the difference.

Even if they banned it, that wouldn't stop those who sell it or those who use it. 

Luckily themselves eating the poisoned foods also som nana.

PANEL DOMINATED BY AGRO-INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS WILL DECIDE ON PROPOSED BAN

 

I wonder how they will vote .

29 minutes ago, r136dg said:

I see the guy in the photo above wearing standard farming/construction safety shoes (flip-flops). Also seen many of locals using these chemicals with shorts & no masks.

I wonder what the length of life statistics are compared to the locals who are not exposed to these chemicals, but just the clean air here.

I guess most of the population eats these chemically treated harvests, so what's the difference.

I had a  woman come here and spray it once for me in some tall grass  during construction whilst I had been away, she  wore just some shorts, no mask or  gloves but best of all wa s followed  round by her children ( about 5-6yrs  old)  running thru the freshly sprayed and still wet gramaoxone. Ive given up caring for the Thai, I spent 5  years being kind  and nice now I just have no interest.

29 minutes ago, inThailand said:

Even if they banned it, that wouldn't stop those who sell it or those who use it. 

Its fine when used in moderation with proper  protection, i use it every 8 weeks on  about 1  rai spot  treating weeds not spraying the entire area and mixed to the correct ratio.

At one time, about 50 years ago (really), there was no antidote. But you'll find this link very informative:

https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/paraquat/basics/facts.asp

Just one of many reasons why I left Thailand 5 years ago. You have nothing without good health!!!

15 minutes ago, ricardofel said:

Just one of many reasons why I left Thailand 5 years ago. You have nothing without good health!!!

 

Right you are !

And where do you live now ?   Is it really better there with Monsanto's Glyphosat ?

While vaping,smoking a cigarette on the beach are against the

law a are taken very seriously ,good job Thailand always gets

it priorities right. 

regards worgeordie

So in truth the Government is allowing its population to be harmed and possibly suffer terrible health risks because it does not have the GUTS or the WILL to ban a chemical substance , known to be harmful to Humankind. 

WELL DONE NCPO. now we really know what you care about and it is NOT THE PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No chance for a ban on it. Only Ecigs They are much more toxic . The land of double standards and no brains.  

I would have to support a ban after spending a week in hospital last year for poisoning attributed to Paraquat.

http://paraquat.com/en/news/thai-training-instils-best-practice

No problems in banning E-cigarettes, but a big problem to ban toxic herbicides? I wonder who's got money invested in the farm chemicals!

Kasetsart University tested, over a two year period, natural fertilizer vs chemical fertilizer on a depleted rice field. The first year the natural fertilized half of the field came out with a 40% higher yield than the chemical fertilized half, the second year it was a 50% higher yield. The professor was given an ASEAN reward!

Smog by burning fields and forests, Fukushima fish, asbestos, formalin, and paraquat are perfect weapons in the 'governments' war against an aging population. It is silent, generates money, and is not causing any international outrage, as straight forward euthanasia would.

And to make more profit, the TAT may come up with a new slogan for their 'Kitchen of the world' propaganda.

"Experience survival of the fittest first plate- Dine in Thailand".

Another proof of incompetence of this junta 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The non-government organisation said in a statement that the subcommittee tasked with vetting the ban mostly represented agro-industrial interests

 

Brilliant.

2 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

In this event, according to BioThai, there would then be challenges over enforcement of the “restricted use” condition.

Of course it should be banned, but the above quote says it all! Farmers have a complete disregard for the law! There is supposed to be a ban on field burning at the moment, but the practice still continues unabated! I have yet to see the police rushing to the scene to arrest the law breakers!

Sent from my X98 Plus II (C2D6) using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Right, rather than using their energies to enforce potential life threatening practises they are too busy banning dartboards.

4 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Brilliant.

Yep money talks big everywhere, but seemingly louder here in Thailand!

1 hour ago, Khun Paul said:

So in truth the Government is allowing its population to be harmed and possibly suffer terrible health risks because it does not have the GUTS or the WILL to ban a chemical substance , known to be harmful to Humankind. 

WELL DONE NCPO. now we really know what you care about and it is NOT THE PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The junta are anti-human oppressors and destructionists (of health, liberty, humanity). If that is not clear to most thinking people by now, then I don't know what is. Moral monsters are at the helm ...

 

Edited March 26, 20188 yr by Eligius

If the government won't ban paraquat, the electorate should ban the government at the upcoming general election.

Funny old world! nobody attacks the massive corporations that make billions from selling poisons, yet attack the uneducated who use them and the "government" that protects the moneymakers!

Sure those that are "protecting" are well taken care off, this is a massive problem worldwide, so called "governments" protecting massive corporations!

So don't expect Thailand to lead the way when the USA and others allow worse chemicals to poison people!