Minister orders search for safe pesticides speeded up

By THE NATION

 

 

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has ordered the ministry’s permanent secretary and subsidiary agencies to speed their search for biochemical and microbial pesticides as substitutes for the newly banned toxic chemicals paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate.

 

“Ministry research centres nationwide are testing biochemical and microbial pesticides and weed killers for rice and other field crops,” he said on Wednesday (October 30). “We will use the results to draft an amendment to the Sustainable Agriculture Act soon.”

 

The legislation currently applies to three million rai of cropland, which would expand to five million rai when the amendment is approved, Chalermchai said.

 

“The ministry is also promoting organic agriculture under standards by which 570,000 rai are currently certified. Organic agriculture in Thailand is growing at around 16 per cent annually, putting us in seventh place in Asia. We are aiming to increase the growth rate to 25 per cent and eventually have one million rai of organic farms.”

 

He said the ministry might put the National Organic Agriculture Institute in charge of driving the initiative in coordination with other agencies and the private sector.

 

Department of Agriculture director-general Sermsuk Salakphet said 73 biochemical and microbial pesticides capable of safeguarding chilli, eggplant, leek, rice and several other vegetables without leaving harmful residue had already been approved.

 

“Manufacturers of bio-pesticides who wish to register their products with the department must demonstrate the product’s efficiency in pest elimination or prevention, as well as pass a toxicology test to ensure the safety of farmers, consumers and the environment,” she said.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377891

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-10-31

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Totally dumb. Should have planned the alternative before banning what you currently use.

2 minutes ago, legend49 said:

Totally dumb. Should have planned the alternative before banning what you currently use.

Forward planning? That's not the Thai way.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

their search for biochemical and microbial pesticides as substitutes for the newly banned toxic chemicals paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate.

 

No pesticide is going to be a substitute for paraquat or glyphosate.  Neither of them is a pesticide - they're herbicides.

 

Such statements simply underline the scientific illiteracy of those behind the proposed ban.

Roll up roll up roll up.

Bring your snake oil over here and we put official label for you.

Instructions - apply lots with lots of water many times.

Safety - do not drink to much.

 

1 hour ago, Oxx said:

 

No pesticide is going to be a substitute for paraquat or glyphosate.  Neither of them is a pesticide - they're herbicides.

 

Such statements simply underline the scientific illiteracy of those behind the proposed ban.

Not really. Herbicides are a class of pesticides. Prove me wrong with a link. 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Minister orders search for safe pesticides speeded up

You could start with Google.

Or call countries that have banned the substances and find out what they use.

Nah, let's have a committee, with lunch.

4 hours ago, Oxx said:

 

No pesticide is going to be a substitute for paraquat or glyphosate.  Neither of them is a pesticide - they're herbicides.

 

Such statements simply underline the scientific illiteracy of those behind the proposed ban.

They just don't know what they are doing, If used correctly there's no problem with the Herbicides.          But then this is Thailand .   ????

Great planning always ????