The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) urges Industry Minister Suriya to reconsider the cancellation of agrochemical use
The Federation of Safe Agriculture has received complaints from six economic crop groups affected by using glufosinate as recommended by the Department of Agriculture. Because of the ban on paraquat, glufosinate has been replaced to spray grasses. As a result, all the cultivated plants were destroyed due to absorption of the poison.
The Federation of Thai Industries has seen the impact on the ban of the chemicals, so it has submitted a letter to the Ministry of Industry, led by Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, to ask for cancellation of the ban on paraquat because this impact has lately cost the industry about two trillion baht.
Mr. Sukan Sungwanna, Secretary-General of the Federation of Safe Agriculture and President of Agricultural Safety Association, revealed: “Presently, farmers from 19 alliance organisations of the Federation, four Sugarcane Institutions and 37 Sugarcane Farmer Associations that grow the main economic crops, namely, sugarcane, palm, cassava, rubber, fruit, sweetcorn and field corn, have been affected badly by the use of glufosinate recommended by the Department of Agriculture and NGOs. And the government has not yet provided clear measures to help farmers and alleviate the problem.”
Mr. Montri Kampon, President of the Unity of Thailand Sugarcane Planters, repeated that sugarcane farmers across the country have suffered from the prohibition on paraquat use which makes the cost of labour and chemical substances more expensive. Furthermore, sugarcane farmers have to use more glufosinate compared with paraquat. In fact, glufosinate can’t kill grasses, yet it stops sugarcane from growing. Over 400,000 farmer households or 10 million farmers have been affected by this.
Ms. Thipawan Yongprayod, Secretary, Cane Farmers Federation of Thailand, explained: “Four Sugarcane Institutions and 37 Sugarcane Farmer Associations have consulted with the Minister of Agriculture about the ban on paraquat use affecting the production of sugarcane to feed sugar factories. Information provided in favour of banning the use of paraquat has many suspect areas that seek to promote the ineffective chemical substance.”
“The Minister of Agriculture promised to submit the letter to review the ban on paraquat use to the Ministry of Industry. Sugarcane farmers and the sugarcane and sugar factories will meet Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Industry, as Chairman of the Hazardous Substances Committee, in order to raise this topic urgently before the whole system of sugarcane and sugar factories collapses.”
Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennaku, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), revealed that: “The chemical industry is an upstream industry of many downstream industries, including petrochemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food and automotive industries which are very important to Thailand’s economy. Agricultural chemicals are essential to the agricultural sector to prevent pests and animals. Misuse of chemicals can have a negative impact on life in many ways. As such, it is important to provide accurate knowledge for safe use and management of chemicals.”
Ms. Petcharat Eksangkul, Honorary President and Member of the Federation of Thai Industries, gave her viewpoint thus: “The ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos and limited use of glyphosate have seriously impacted the chemicals industry and related industries to the tune of over two trillion baht in lost value. This has a wider impact than we have ever seen before in Thailand. The impact is particularly acute on upstream industries that, in turn, impact many related industries. With this in mind, the FTI held a discussion session on 3 September 2020 to show the effect of paraquat and chlorpyrifos prohibition in order to disseminate accurate information about these agricultural chemicals.”
“The FTI sent a letter to the Industry Minister requesting comprehensive consideration of the relevant information and measures to elevate impacts prior to prohibition of the two chemical substances. The FTI still insists that the Hazardous Substances Committee reviews the measures carefully because damage has already occurred to farmers.”
Mr. Sukan concluded: “The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, led by Minister Chalermchai Srion, has now sent a letter to the Hazardous Substances Committee. This is the right response in terms of showing responsibility for life, livelihood and wellbeing of farmers. Farmers are still waiting for the Ministry of Industry, led by Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, to act appropriately with recognition of its responsibility for the industry’s stability and the country’s economy and growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.”