The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) on Wednesday submitted a letter demanding the Agriculture Ministry reveal the names and information on companies that are selling hazardous farm chemicals in the country.
In an open letter intended for Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach, the ACT reasoned that the requested information about the companies, both Thai and foreign, should help improve transparency in the government's regulation of farm chemicals.
The ACT also asked the Department of Special Investigation to carry out an in-depth investigation into any possible connection between these companies and members of the government's Hazardous Substance Committee (HSC) and its sub-committees.
The ACT, pointed to the use of three farm chemicals -- paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate.
Consumer groups have campaigned for a ban on these chemicals while the Department of Agriculture supports their use. The chemicals have been banned in more than 20 countries. Previously, the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment had also recommended they be banned.
The HSC last month revised its decision to ban the three major chemicals in vegetable and herb farming, and allowing regulated usage.
The decision drew criticism from health and organic farming advocacy groups.
In the same open letter, the ACT also urged the government to change the composition of the HSC by allowing members of the public and health and environmental organisations to become members.
The ACT said the government should consider suspending the sale of all hazardous farm chemicals until the companies distributing them in Thailand can prove their products are not toxic or dangerous to consumers.
In related news, Deputy Agriculture Minister Wiwat Salyakamthorn on Monday brushed off reports that he would be axed from the cabinet after he pledged to end the use of the three pesticides.
He said the rumours were spread by groups at risk of losing benefits if he succeeds in his aim to push through a ban on these chemicals.
He said Gen Prayut did not call a meeting with him to warn him he would be dismissed from his post as was rumoured.
The premier has stood firm on his stance of supporting Mr Wiwat's campaign for the country to keep decreasing the use of farm chemicals until it can one day totally stop using potentially hazardous chemicals in farming, Mr Wiwat said.
Mr Wiwat said he was disappointed with the HSC's decision.
