Supporters of GMO (genetically-modified organism) crops have pledged to move ahead with plans to petition the government to forward a controversial bill regulating GMOs, or the so-called biosafety bill, to the House for consideration as soon as possible.
They said they will submit the petition to the Prayut Chan-o-cha government this month, calling on it to forward the bill to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for consideration.
On Friday, supporters of GMOs including Thailand’s National Confederation for Safe, Secure and Sustainable Agriculture, the Thai Seed Trade Association, the Thai Feed Mill Association (TFMA), academics and farmers gathered at a seminar on a discussion of GMO impacts after the government decided to put the bill on hold.
The cabinet on Tuesday resolved to return the biosafety bill to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for adjustments.
It also decided that the government must put the legislation on hold as it was not the right time to continue pushing for the bill while Thailand was still undergoing agricultural reforms.
The cabinet made the decision after opponents of the draft bill early this month gathered in Bangkok, demanding the government shelve the bill.
The opponents said they wanted the government to set up a joint panel with representatives of farmers and NGOs to review the bill before it is forwarded to the NLA. They said if the bill becomes law, rice imports to the European Union may be banned.
Niwat Pakwiset, chairman of an advanced technology farming club based in Ratchaburi province, said his alliance will submit a letter to Gen Prayut on Dec 29 asking him to support the bill and forward it to the NLA for consideration as soon as possible.
"The government should throw its full support behind GM crop field trials so that people will know whether GM crops are good or bad for the country," Mr Niwat said.
Pornsilp Patchrintanakul, president of the TFMA, said the government’s suspension of the bill would not benefit the country's food and agricultural sectors.
Mr Pornsilp said workers in those sectors still need advanced technology to boost their crop yields and cut fertiliser and pesticide usage to help them compete.
He said Thailand has limited capacity to increase yield production per rai that might raise the risks of raw material shortages to the feed mill business.
Maize imported from neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines contain GMOs as those countries allow their farmers to grow GM crops for commercial use.
“We're disappointed over the government’s decision to put the legislation on hold. So, we want the government to reconsider it as biotechnology is very important for the country’s development.
"We won't let the government stop the bill,” he said, saying his association is ready to explain to opponents why the country needs GM crops so they can hear all sides of the issue.
"After that they can make their own decision over whether to support or object to GM crops based on scientific knowledge," he said.
Nipon Iamsupasit, president of the Biotechnology Alliance Association, said he was also disappointed at the bill's suspension, saying it was written to ensure the public that GM crops are safe for the environment and human health and the crops are subject to safety evaluation procedures before they are planted.
Adviser to Public Health Minister Kittisak Klabdee said that upgrading regulations for GMO labels on food products was being considered by the Food and Drug Administration.