Agriculture department cracks down on substandard fertilisers

The Department of Agriculture instructed inspectors to closely monitor shops selling fertilisers and chemicals to prevent the distribution of substandard products to farmers and the general public.

Director-General of the Department of Agriculture Raphiphat Chandrasrivongs revealed that inspectors from the Plant and Agricultural Materials Control Division are conducting inspections across various regions to ensure compliance.

Following directives from the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thammanat Prompao placed a great emphasis on protecting public interests. Any violations discovered will result in immediate legal action.

The onset of the planting season has increased the demand for agricultural chemicals and fertilisers, making vigilance crucial.

Online sales channels have become increasingly popular and accessible, posing a risk of consumers receiving substandard or unauthorised products. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious sales to the network of volunteer agricultural inspectors.

Farmers are advised to purchase from licenced and trusted shops bearing the Q-Shop mark, indicating compliance with the quality standards set by the Department in 2022.

The authority to approve quality agricultural shops has been decentralised to various research and development offices, agricultural zones one to eight, plant and agricultural materials control offices, and provincial agricultural research and development centres.

This initiative aims to ensure agricultural products meet safety standards, aligning with the policy of positioning the nation as a global agricultural and food hub.

From April to May of this year, the Department of Agriculture received numerous reports and successfully prosecuted several offenders, particularly in central regions such as Nakhon Pathom and Suphan Buri, which are key agricultural areas.

The department warns that producing and selling non-standard fertilisers violates the Fertiliser Act of 1975 and its 2007 amendment.

Producing chemical fertilisers without permission under Section 12 carries a penalty under Section 57, which includes imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both.

Producing fertilisers that require registration but fail to register violates Section 30 (5), with penalties under Section 71, including one to five years of imprisonment and fines ranging from 40,000 to 200,000 baht.

The network of volunteer agricultural inspectors has been trained in various areas to detect product authorisation, identify quality shops, and verify the products through the department’s application

This initiative ensures farmers and the public are protected from substandard agricultural products, promoting safe and quality farming practices, reported Khaosod.