January 11, 2011

Thailand requires biotech field trial to move sector forward

Open-field research for genetically modified (GM) crops to move science and biotechnology should be permitted by the Thai government, says an agriculture expert.

President of the Horticultural Society of Thailand, Ananta Dalodom, said that the Thai government has yet to state clearly when it would allow field research of GM substances.

In Thailand and other countries, GM crops have been portrayed as "Frankenstein crops" by environmentalists, though more than 50 countries now allow them to be planted.

The Thai cabinet in 2007 ruled that any field research on GM crops needed prior cabinet approval but the approval process is just a "ritual", according to Ananta.

"The government is not interested in talking on a scientific basis. It is just worried about the political impact as it is afraid that there will be groups of people coming out to protest and that politicians will lose votes," said Ananta, who is a former director-general of the Agriculture Department.

"Actually a large number of farmers are waiting for the use of biotech to develop their crops, but their voices are not loud enough."

"While the government is banning open-field research, it is allowing imports of GM soy because if we don't import them it will affect animal feed." Ananta continued.

Meanwhile, the private sector is planning to file a petition to the court for access to technology.