Hope sprouts for farming

Hope sprouts for farming

After weeks of rumour and speculation, the national panel tasked with the control of hazardous substances made a historic decision this week to ban three toxic farm chemicals, namely paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. The decision is being hailed as a major victory for food safety advocates. In reality, though, it's just the beginning of a long battle.

The panel, which comes under the Industry Ministry, deserves praise for its bold political decision. Panuwat Triyangkulsri, acting deputy permanent secretary for industry, was assigned to chair Wednesday's panel meeting amid ongoing confrontation between proponents and opponents of the three agri-chemicals. Mr Panuwat said the committee had decided to reclassify the trio, from Type 3 toxic substances to Type 4, which prohibits use, production, import, export and possession. The ban will take effect this December.

The three farm chemicals are recognised as the most popular choices among farmers engaged in conventional agriculture. The Oct 22 decision dismayed this group, who have vowed to fight back. Some said they would take the matter to the Administrative Court, petitioning for an injunction to suspend the ban. They will also ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to review the decision, which they say will lead to soaring production costs to cover the extra farm workers needed in place of the chemicals.

Higher costs, they insist, will compromise their competitiveness, placing more pressure on large-scale farmers.

The chemical trio is used widely to cultivate six staple crops: cassava, sugarcane, maize, rubber, oil palm, and fruit. Concern is rising that the ban will force desperate farmers to turn to other farm chemicals that may be just as toxic, or else buy the banned trio on the black market.

Previously, the Agriculture Ministry had sought a compromise by introducing a scheme under which farmers were given training and purchase licences for the chemical trio. But the measure was deemed too little, too late amid frequent reports that residues of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos had contaminated the food chain. The ban, meanwhile, is in line with the global trend, as more and more countries dispense with the highly toxic farm chemicals. Thailand ranks among the five countries that use the highest amounts.

There emerges an immediate question of what to do with the existing stockpile of the toxic trio once the ban takes effect in a matter of weeks.

Prokchol Ousap, a coordinator of BioThai, a non-profit organisation advocating food safety, biodiversity and sustainability, welcomed the ban but warned that state agencies and non-governmental organisations must now work hard to help farmers adapt to life without the chemicals. There exist a number of natural herbs that can be used to combat pest infestations, while machinery and planting trees and shrubs can help eradicate weeds.

However, the duty to make our food safe for local consumption and export lies ultimately with the state. Farmers should be made aware that chemical-free crops fetch better prices on local and global markets. Of course, this revenue can be boosted by marketing. At the same time, more efforts are needed to promote a safer farming system, by, for example, waiving tax on machinery to help farmers tackle weeds.

As a place that calls itself "the kitchen of the world", Thailand should grab this opportunity to explore alternative farming methods that make the country's food safer.

Editorial

Bangkok Post editorial column

These editorials represent Bangkok Post thoughts about current issues and situations.

Email : anchaleek@bangkokpost.co.th

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (19)