Agriculture Ministry starts restricting use of farm chemicals

BANGKOK, Aug 27 (TNA) – The Agriculture Ministry started implementing restricted use of three farm chemicals - paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. To control the use of the controversial chemicals, Anan Suwannarat, the newly-appointed Permanent Secretary for Agriculture said that from now on, only certified farmers, who passed the training on the safe use of farm chemicals, can buy the three chemicals. The Department of Agriculture also limits imports of these toxic substances to less than 12,000-14,000 tonnes each year, down from 30,000-40,000 tonnes. The Hazardous Substance Committee (HSC) does not ban these chemicals. The ministry agreed with the restricted use as most farmers still want it. Regarding health and environment concerns, he said a committee should be set up to conduct a thorough study to be summited to the HSC for consideration. To prevent harm from farm chemicals, Anan said besides the farmer training on the chemical safety use, the ministry has to instruct farmers to adopt safety agriculture practice and replace chemicals with microbial pesticide as an alternative. (TNA)