Agriculture department clamps down on unregistered fertilisers, pesticides

By THE NATION

 

 

After receiving numerous complaints from farmers about bio herbicides and pesticides being sold and distributed through online channels, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) is collaborating with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in inspecting where the products are made.

 

 

Early investigations show that the herbicides have not been registered with DOA and that most of the products contain hazardous substances such as paraquat and glyphosate, the DOA’s director general Sermsuk Salakphet said this week.

 

Officers have inspected manufacturing and distribution areas in Pathum Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Nonthaburi provinces. “We found 18 products containing hazardous substances and 58.5 tonnes of 36 different fertilisers that could potentially cause more than Bt25 million in damage.”

 

Under the hazardous substance act of 1992, the penalty for those who manufacture and distribute hazardous substances without official permission is up to 2 years in jail, a fine of up to Bt200,000, or both. Meanwhile, those who manufacture and distribute the hazardous substances without official registration face a prison term of up to 3 years, a fine of up to Bt300,000, or both.

 

Moreover, the penalty for those who manufacture and distribute fertilisers without official permission or without official registration is up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to Bt300,000, or both; and between 1 to 5 years jail time and a fine of between Bt40,000 and Bt200,000 respectively.

 

“Those bio pesticides have to be registered with the DOA, and must pass toxicological, performance and quality testing,” Sermsuk added, “This is to ensure that the products are effective and safe to users, consumers, and environment.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30378406

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-11-17

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better the  devil you know then?

1 hour ago, Chazar said:

better the  devil you know then?

Sounds like they put small amounts of glyphosate in to make it work.

A lot of online shops will be panicking soon!

I thought all those products sold on the net would be ridgy didge.  Oh well,  let's hope the effects on the fruit are short lived....before we pick it for market.