Three experts quit panel studying high-risk pesticides, suspect it of ulterior motives

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

THREE ACADEMICS have quit a committee tasked with handling the problems of high-risk chemical pesticides over suspicion of the panel’s ulterior motives.

 

Professor Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, Professor Pornpimol Kongtip and Assoc Professor Puangrat Kajitvichyanukul resigned on Wednesday as independent committee members. The committee was tasked with seeking solutions to common farm chemicals, namely paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate.

 

“There’s no point in being part of this committee because it has ignored plenty of reliable academic and scientifically-proven information,” Thiravat said at a recent press conference.

 

“We suspect this committee intends to stick with Hazardous Substance Committee [HSC]’s resolution to only restrict the use of these chemicals. Also, four members of the panel [which he was part of] have ties with agriculture-chemical firms.” 

 

HSC’s resolution, which was passed in May last year, has generated controversy given that the Public Health Ministry announced that these chemicals be banned since 2017. 

 

Several studies show that these chemicals have contaminated the environment and are a threat to people’s health, and paraquat has been banned across Europe since 2007 because of its health impacts. The three academics also believe these three “dangerous” chemicals should be banned. 

 

Meanwhile, PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyu-vardhana, who chairs the committee seeking solutions to the three farm chemicals, said yesterday that he had yet to receive the academics’ resignation letter. 

 

“The committee, is in fact, currently gathering relevant information and will also submit the opinion of the National Research Council of Thailand to the HSC,” Suwaphan said. 

 

The HSC is scheduled to consider the issue on February 14. 

 

Thiravat also called on all stakeholders to closely monitor HSC’s resolution. 

 

“A resolution to curb, abandon or end the use of these chemicals without a specific timeframe is meaningless,” Thirvat pointed out, adding that if this junta-run government really cared about people’s health, it would have set a clear timeframe for a complete ban. 

 

Meanwhile, the Foundation for Consumers and its allies said seven prominent companies in the sugar industry have this week implemented a policy to curb or stop the use of paraquat. 

 

“Other sugar manufacturers have also said that they will comply with a paraquat ban if it is issued,” the non-governmental organisations chorused, adding that they hope the policymakers would give priority to people’s health when formulating a resolution. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30363740

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-02-08

"...There’s no point in being part of this committee because it has ignored plenty of reliable academic and scientifically-proven information,” Thiravat said at a recent press conference.

 

“We suspect this committee intends to stick with Hazardous Substance Committee [HSC]’s resolution to only restrict the use of these chemicals. Also, four members of the panel [which he was part of] have ties with agriculture-chemical firms...” 

 

It is nice to see some people acting in an honourable fashion; sadly, it is something that doesn't occur often these days.

 

Well done, professors!

 

 

So it was a setup. They made a panel with 4 people with ties to the chemicals and 3 to add legitimacy so the committee will approve use of the hazardous chemicals 4-3. Looking back no one will remember these resignations. The hazardous chemicals will once again be blessed by committee and the spraying will continue in earnest sickening consumers and harming the environment. It's just amazing how few people care about this and everyone goes on with their lives doing absolutely nothing about it.

 

Edited February 8, 20197 yr by canopy

This is nasty and disgusting !!

If the chemical doesn't knock you down immediately like  bug hit by Baygon, then it's safe for workers and food seems to be criteria

There’s no point in being part of this committee because it has ignored plenty of reliable academic and scientifically-proven information,” Thiravat said at a recent press conference.

 

They could have been talking about absolutely anything or any ministry of crackdowns committee ????

Academics versus experts ? What were they, the title is not the same.

46 minutes ago, canopy said:

So it was a setup. They made a panel with 4 people with ties to the chemicals and 3 to add legitimacy so the committee will approve use of the hazardous chemicals 4-3. Looking back no one will remember these resignations. The hazardous chemicals will once again be blessed by committee and the spraying will continue in earnest sickening consumers and harming the environment. It's just amazing how few people care about this and everyone goes on with their lives doing absolutely nothing about it.

 

Yes it was a setup, but the experts have exposed this. There are people with morals around who won't be used as a front for a sham. So there is hope for Thailand some people can't be bribed.

TiT nothing changes 

Three honourable Thais?  Amazing Thailand!

2 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Three honourable Thais?  Amazing Thailand!

Why were they even in that panel? Do they think the westerners can't investigate such matter?

“ 'The committee, is in fact, currently gathering relevant information and will also submit the opinion of the National Research Council of Thailand to the HSC,' Suwaphan said."

"Gathering relevant information" ? There have been hundreds of research projects and studies conducted in other countries with more sophisticated and informed researchers which have concluded that these chemicals in question are a danger to the health of humans. Why not just use those conclusions...Unless, as has been stated above, there are other motives.

 

In auto racing, the drivers wear jackets with the names and logos of sponsors on them. Why don't we make politicians do the same, so we know who owns them. 

Edited February 8, 20197 yr by jaltsc

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

It is nice to see some people acting in an honourable fashion; sadly, it is something that doesn't occur often these days.

The normal procedure here is, they are always seen and treated as pesky opponents those at the trough need to get rid off, this way or the other.

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...There’s no point in being part of this committee because it has ignored plenty of reliable academic and scientifically-proven information,” Thiravat said at a recent press conference.

 

“We suspect this committee intends to stick with Hazardous Substance Committee [HSC]’s resolution to only restrict the use of these chemicals. Also, four members of the panel [which he was part of] have ties with agriculture-chemical firms...” 

 

It is nice to see some people acting in an honourable fashion; sadly, it is something that doesn't occur often these days.

 

Well done, professors!

 

 

Yes indeed, Samui Bodoh: it is VERY heartening to encounter some ethical integrity in this country for once - a VERY, VERY rare commodity (as we all know). Much kudos and respect to these principled Thai academics.

But how sad to know that chemical pollution is set to continue (all driven by worship of the heartless god of Profit!).

Sounds like they’re going to need a super committee to look into their claims.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Also, four members of the panel [which he was part of] have ties with agriculture-chemical firms.” 

 

Speaks volumes, money over peoples health is all that matters!

The government of this country is a national disgrace !!

4 hours ago, fruitman said:

Why were they even in that panel? Do they think the westerners can't investigate such matter?

Simple - because they were outnumbered by the others !

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Also, four members of the panel [which he was part of] have ties with agriculture-chemical firms.” 

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

There’s no point in being part of this committee because it has ignored plenty of reliable academic and scientifically-proven information,” Thiravat said at a recent press conference.

It's no wonder there is absolute apathy in this country.

The 3 academics never stood a chance.

All the veggies and fruits we eat every day are full of it. China, Thailand or any other country in this part of the world.  Europe banned Paraquat in 2007.   

I always look for frozen berries and veggies from New Zealand and Aus as an alternative to the fresh ones sold her. 

 

 

 

 

Professor Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, Professor Pornpimol Kongtip and Assoc Professor Puangrat Kajitvichyanukul resigned on Wednesday as independent committee members. The committee was tasked with seeking solutions to common farm chemicals, namely paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate.

 

“There’s no point in being part of this committee because it has ignored plenty of reliable academic and scientifically-proven information,” Thiravat said at a recent press conference

 

Why have research and academic results if we are not going to take it on board. Thanks to these professors of integrity for not falling into the trap of deceit. We also have academic research on Global warming and we are not taking that on board either. We as a people have a responsibility to stand with the integrity of those who have our best interest at heart. We can no longer just stand by, we have to stand with the research of academic integrity.  Research shows that eating chocolate makes you fat. I eat chocolate - Guess what? (Laurence Fishbourne - Mission Impossible 3).

9 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

This is nasty and disgusting !!

BTW - The gentleman being the current Federal Minister of Health of the German government is - together with the head of his MP office - the founder of a company owning a sub-company which mainly consults customers in the pharmaceutical sector and the medicine industry ...
Looks somehow similar ...

Edited February 8, 20197 yr by rebo