EDITORIAL: BANGKOK POST – Toxic wait must end

The change in the composition of the National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC), which regulates use of three harmful farm chemicals — paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos — could add complications to a move to have the trio banned.

The new composition under the Industry Ministry permanent secretary will see two representatives from the Public Health Ministry, the Medical Department and Medical Science Department removed from the 29-member panel.

The reduction to 27 panel members, which is stipulated under the revised hazardous substances control law, took Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul by surprise. The two agencies no longer represented on the panel are staunch opponents of the three farm chemicals, given strong evidence that their toxic residues contaminate farm produce that is bought in shops. Studies by Mahidol University have even detected the residues in human babies’ umbilical cords.

Mr Anutin has threatened to oust ministers attached to the Bhumjaithai Party if the campaign to ban the three chemicals fails.

During the previous Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, the Public Health Ministry’s strong stance against toxic agri-chemicals attracted opposition from other government agencies, especially the Industry and Agriculture ministries. Public Health Ministry representatives failed to secure a ban despite several votes by the panel, as advocates including the Agriculture Department insisted the use of paraquat and the two other chemicals remained necessary “in the absence of alternatives”.

To counter pressure for a ban, they instead attempted to place restrictions on the chemicals, which are used for major cash crops, including cassava, corn, oil palm, sugar cane, and fruit. However, the restrictions were found to be ineffective as they lacked tight controls in areas such as the no-use zones in watersheds. Worse, weak enforcement was followed by reports of misuse of the toxic substances which caused widespread contamination of farmland. Darkening the picture still further are allegations of strong links between the panel’s pro-chemical elements and the giant agri-firms that manufacture the chemicals.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Mananya Thaiset, a political novice, has vowed to push for a total ban from Dec 1. Her position is endorsed by the Office of Ombudsman and the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT). However, other cabinet members are digging their heels in, especially Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Sri-on.

Ms Mananya, who has complained of foul play by pro-chemical groups, believes a crucial decision on the chemicals will be made when the panel meets on Oct 22, after a four-party working group agreed unanimously to slap a total ban on the trio. Yet, the panel’s key members this week claimed that a proposed ban is not on the meeting’s agenda.

There are concerns that the new NHSC, which will take charge on Oct 27, will allow the foot-dragging game to continue as panel members take the opportunity to start the debate anew, citing the new panel structure. But such a course of action should not be tolerated, since the issue has already been debated at length and for months.

The panel would do be doing a great service to the public and the environment by adopting the ban without delay. The longer it takes, the more people will be put at risk by farm chemicals that are hazardous to health.