Anutin vows to resign if the bill banning 3 pesticides fails
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday (October 12) during a press conference in Phatthalung province that his Ministry and the Bhumjaithai Party will keep pushing for the ban of three toxic pesticides namely Paraquat, Glyphosate and Chlorpyrifos, which are widely used in agriculture.
“We put the health and safety of Thai farmers and people as a top priority and will make sure that these chemicals are banned in Thailand,” he said.
Anutin further explained that he already sought support from ministers for the ban.
“Both the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperative Chalermchai Srion and Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit are on board,” he said. “However, I cannot predict the decision of the 27 members of Hazardous Substance Committee, who will soon vote on this matter.”
The Deputy PM also added that if the committee were to vote against the ban, he would show his feelings by resigning. “Banning toxic substances and promoting the health of Thai people have always been the focus of the Bhumjaithai Party, and if I can’t get my people to agree with me, then I will quit the office,” said Anutin.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier ordered the Ministry of Agriculture to appoint a committee to look into the issue, and Deputy Minister Mananya Thaiseth reported during the conference that the nine committee members were in unanimous agreement that the ban of the 3 pesticides should be enforced immediately.
