Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has confirmed that he and Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, have never encouraged the use of the hazardous chemicals, paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos.
The Agriculture Minister said he had consulted the Hazardous Goods Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and suggested the Ministry of Industry call a meeting to consider prohibiting use of the three types of hazardous chemicals. He called on the committee to reach a resolution in an open manner so that the public knows who agrees and who disagrees with a ban on these hazardous chemicals. The Agriculture Minister said today that relevant ministries should hold a joint press conference on the matter; he denied that there is conflict between government parties.
Chalermchai commented that his instructions regarding the current use of the chemicals was only publicized in part and that he had ordered the strict use and control of the chemicals which are not banned as yet. He said he has ordered the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to clarify his instructions, immediately after he returns from China.
He dismissed rumors that Monsanto Co., a major producer of chemicals, had met with a team of Democrat Party officials, and called on anyone who might claim to have evidence of such a meeting to send it to him for further investigation. He said he never accepted kickbacks from anyone.
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