NLA approves draft law on rice reserves

BANGKOK, 10 June 2016 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has given a nod to a bill that would allow for the establishment of a regional organization on rice reserves in Thailand.

NLA members today convened their meeting to deliberate a draft law in support of operations of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve Secretariat which had earlier been passed by the vetting committee. The draft law mandates that the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve Secretariat be set up in Thailand as proposed by the country.

The main objective of the bill is to build reserves of rice for consumption in times of emergency and for distribution within the ASEAN Plus Three grouping as part of humanitarian assistance, thereby ensuring food security within the region. If enacted, the draft law would also provide convenience for related officials who are foreigners in traveling in and out of Thailand while performing their duties.

After deliberation, 178 members of the legislature voted for the bill while four others abstained.


-- NNT 2016-06-10

I thought the previous elected government did that, or something similar?

Edited June 9, 201610 yr by Thailand

I can't help but wonder what the outcome was of the recent rice auction which was a serious attempt to offload bulging stores. The auction took place and the bidders purchased but in many cases when it came time to deliver the rice could not be found or it was rotten or it was the wrong specification. A monumental stuff-up.

Don't be surprised if the same people who organised that rice sale disaster will be representatives on the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve Secretariat. Same useless bums sitting on different chairs.

After deliberation, 178 members of the legislature voted for the bill while four others abstained.

For the NLA, with "no more than 220 members", along with a staff of five (each) and hefty salaries all 'round, they almost always vote 180:0.

It seems like a 30 baht rubber stamp and pad could save a lot of money?

I thought the previous elected government did that, or something similar?

Correct - and wasn't there a hoo-haa? Volume up to 11, hysteria up to 12, lies up to 13.

People just don't understand that this is different., This is done by 'good people'. So that's alright then.

Even if the 'good people' don't want the hoi polloi to know where the 'good people' got their money.

Thais just have to trust them when they say itr was all legal and above board.

In spite of all the rumours.

W

I thought the previous elected government did that, or something similar?

The idea was mooted after the '08 food crisis and launch in 2012 by the previous government. So you are spot on.

I thought the previous elected government did that, or something similar?

The idea was mooted after the '08 food crisis and launch in 2012 by the previous government. So you are spot on.

The high prices in 2008 led people to talk about such 'reserve' and an agreement was signed by members of ASEAN during a meeting in Jakarta, 2011-10-07. The ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) came into force July 2012, but still needed to be covered by national laws. That took a wee bit longer.

An interesting paper from January 2014

"The ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR): Cooperation, commitment and contradictions"

http://www.foodreserves.org?p=454

Another interesting story, but not dated (maybe 2011 or so)

"For instance every year, Japan spends the equivalent of €90 per ton of rice in air-conditioned warehousing costs. Over €57 million would thus be required each year to stock the 637,000 tons committed by participating countries, Sharing the operating expenses between industrialized, emerging and developing countries in the region remains a thorny issue."

http://www.momagri.org/UK/focus-on-issues/The-East-Asia-Emergency-Rice-Reserve-Gradually-building-a-tool-to-regulate-the-rice-market-in-East-Asia_990.html

Approved! Has anything not been approved. They only gave them one stamp!