The National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) has decided to ban the use of three toxic farm chemicals -- paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos – while opponents and farmer groups threaten to file a court petition against the move.

After a long battle between farmers groups for and against removing the substances from the market, the NHSC members voted on Tuesday to ban the chemicals.

Hundreds of farmers gathered outside the meeting room at the Ministry of Industry where the voting took place.  When the vote results were announced, a representative of farmers groups Anchulee Lakamnuaypon said they groups would file a petition with the Administrative Court on October 28 calling for a temporary injunction.

The groups would also file lawsuits against individuals who, they said, misinformed the public about the chemicals. 

Anchulee said they planned to appeal to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to set up a new panel to restudy and review reports on the chemicals.

The NHSC had previously agreed only to restrict use of the chemicals, citing the lack of alternatives and impacts on farmers despite widespread calls for a total ban.  Its decision is a victory for many health and organic farming groups who have long demanded outright bans on the popular farm chemicals.  

According agriculture officials, paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos will be classified as Type 4, meaning possession, distribution, importing and production of these chemicals are prohibited.

Source: TNA