paraquat

  • Environment NewsThailand’s ban on hazardous farming chemicals to remain in place

    Thailand’s ban on hazardous farming chemicals to remain in place

    Despite fears to the contrary among those in favour of it, the ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos is to remain in place. The Hazardous Substances Committee has confirmed that production, possession, and importing or exporting either substance remains illegal, under legislation introduced on June 1 of this year. Thai PBS World reports that Industry Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, says a discussion…

  • Environment NewsPM denies government split over toxic chemical ban

    PM denies government split over toxic chemical ban

    As officials continue to debate a recently-introduced ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos, the PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha denies the government is split on the matter. He points out that coalition governments will always have differing viewpoints and that such differences will not affect the administration’s overall unity. Currently Glyphosate hasn’t been included in the ban. “Our core priorities are public health…

  • Environment NewsHealth Minister insists chemical ban must stay, as farmers plead for compromise

    Health Minister insists chemical ban must stay, as farmers plead for compromise

    As disagreement continues over the current ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos, Thailand’s farmers are calling for a compromise. Both paraquat (herbicide) and chlorpyrifos (pesticide) were popular in Thai agriculture until a controversial ban this year. But the farmers, who support a proposal by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry that the ban be overturned, say the proposed alternatives simply don’t work.…

  • Environment NewsHealth Ministry up in arms over possible return to toxic chemicals

    Health Ministry up in arms over possible return to toxic chemicals

    Following a report that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is proposing that a ban on the use of toxic chemicals be overturned, the Public Health Minister has called an urgent meeting with his officials. The use of paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and glyphosate has been banned since June, with farmers ordered to hand over their supplies or face heavy fines. It’s…

  • Environment NewsChemical ban now in effect, farmers say they have few alternatives

    Chemical ban now in effect, farmers say they have few alternatives

    Thailand’s ban on 2 toxic chemicals in herbicides and pesticides, is now in effect. While the move focuses on a sustainable, eco-friendly future, farmers say they are at a loss with no alternatives to keep bugs and weeds from killing their crops. The 2 chemicals, paraquat and chlorpyrifos, have been shown to be toxic to humans in some studies, in…

  • Environment NewsCommittee votes to ban harmful pesticides from June 1

    Committee votes to ban harmful pesticides from June 1

    The National Hazardous Substances Committee has voted to push ahead with the ban on two pesticides, effective June 1. The products are paraquat and chlorpyrifos, 2 of 3 toxic weed killers that have come under scrutiny. It was agreed to allow the controlled use of glyphosate, the third chemical, until the end of November this year. The vote comes following…

  • Economy NewsThailand’s U-turn on agri-chemical ban shows US hitting where it hurts

    Thailand’s U-turn on agri-chemical ban shows US hitting where it hurts

    PHOTO: matichon.co.th The US is piling the pressure on Thailand over its agri-chemical ban, and it appears to be working. A report by the Nikkei Asian Review claims the Kingdom’s proposed ban on three agri-chemicals – Paraquat, Glyphosate and Chlorpyrifos – would have affected American agricultural exports into Thailand. But the US President has weighed into the issue. Following news…

  • Environment NewsHealth minister: No delays on agri-chemical bans

    Health minister: No delays on agri-chemical bans

    PHOTO: CNA The Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reiterated there will be no delay to the ban on paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, set to come into effect next week. Anutin, also deputy PM, reasserted the Health Ministry’s backing of the National Hazardous Substances Committee ban, even though the Department of Agriculture has proposed delaying it for six months to…

  • Environment NewsTwo Thai companies caught producing banned agri-chemicals

    Two Thai companies caught producing banned agri-chemicals

    PHOTO: INN News The Department of Special Investigations has discovered two companies producing toxic chemicals, including the recently banned Paraquat and Glyphosate agri-chemicals. Thai Residents reports that production was taking place across five different sites, with the companies mixing the banned substances with organic fertilisers without informing customers. The result was products that were not registered or approved by any…

  • Environment NewsNo reversal of glyphosate ban says minister

    No reversal of glyphosate ban says minister

    Thailand’s Industry Minister says his ministry is fully committed to the recent ban on agri-chemicals paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. He says that the decision of the National Hazardous Substances Committee on October 22 will stand and there will be no review of the ban as speculated. “My stance is firm and remains unchanged. If you look back at my previous statements,…

  • Environment NewsNew controls on three toxic agri-chemicals take effect on October 20

    New controls on three toxic agri-chemicals take effect on October 20

    A number of ministers and officials are vowing to continue pushing for a ban on three controversial agri-chemicals – Paraquat, Glyphosate and Chlorpyrifos – all still widely used in Thai agriculture. Meanwhile, strict measures on using the three chemicals, announced on April 5 and set take effect on October 20, have brought cheers from consumers and NGOs but protests from…

  • Environment NewsBhumjaithai ministers will quit if herbicides are not banned

    Bhumjaithai ministers will quit if herbicides are not banned

    Lobbying is intensifying over a final decision to ban three controversial herbicides – paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. With farmers, agri-business interests, environmental activists and social media all putting pressure on decision-makers to sway their decision, the biggest pressure is from within the ruling Palang Pracharat government. Increasing pressure is now being applied to the National Hazardous Substances Committee after the…

  • Environment NewsThai farmers reluctant to scale down use of ‘toxic’ herbicides

    Thai farmers reluctant to scale down use of ‘toxic’ herbicides

    Thai farmers say they oppose the proposed bans on herbicides paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos. The Thai government plans to phase out three chemical weed killers, widely used by Thai farmers, by the end of this year. Farmers say they oppose the restrictions of use because the chemicals provide higher crop yields, according to Thai PBS who headed out into the…

  • Environment NewsThree herbicides will be banned in Thailand this year

    Three herbicides will be banned in Thailand this year

    “When we eat fish from a river or stream contaminated with chemicals, we will ingest the chemicals. It is a food chain.” Three hazardous herbicides, widely used in Thailand, will be banned before the end of this year. Deputy Agriculture Minister Manunya Thaiseth says the three herbicides are strongly opposed by consumer, civic groups and environmentalists. Yesterday she ordered a suspension of…

  • Thailand NewsLeaked document shows the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry planned to delay pesticide ban

    Leaked document shows the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry planned to delay pesticide ban

    The Hazardous Substance Committee may fail to reach a decision on whether to ban paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, said Apichin Jotikashira, Industry Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary. Apichin, who is a committee member, told environmental activists and those who claim they have been affected by agrochemicals today, that if new information about the impact of banning the herbicides and pesticides was…

  • Thailand NewsSlow phase out of ‘Paraquat’ meets resistance

    Slow phase out of ‘Paraquat’ meets resistance

    Activists are voicing their objections to the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach’s proposal to ban the use of paraquat in three years instead of one. The Hazardous Substance Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting tomorrow to reconsider the banning of three controversial agricultural chemicals – paraquat, glyphosate, and chlorpyrifos. But the BioThai Foundation has disclosed the minister’s text…