Postponement of Farm Chemical Ban May Be Considered

BANGKOK, Nov 23 (TNA) - The Department of Agriculture plans to propose postponement of the ban on three farm chemicals by another six months following opposition by farmers. Farmers planned to wear black clothes and rally at Government House on Nov 28 to oppose the government’s policy to ban three farm chemicals - paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. The ban takes effect on Dec 1. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said he ordered every agency under his ministry to consider the issue carefully before forwarding proposals to the National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) in a meeting on Nov 27, one day before the farmers' planned demonstration. The meeting will be chaired by Industry Minister. Meanwhile, Anant Suwanarat, permanent secretary for agriculture and chairman of working committee, in charge of assisting affected farmers said the Agriculture Department would propose to the NHSC that the ban be postponed by another six months. However, the planned proposal will be discussed for conclusion early next week before forwarding to the Agriculture and Cooperatives minister for consideration ahead of the Nov 27 meeting. The NHSC voted on Oct 22 to upgrade paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos from Type 3 toxic substances to Type 4, which prohibit their production, import, export or possession. (TNA)