GM crops 'shouldn't be listed as harmful'

Bangkok Post
Saturday,03.04.2010
Growing genetically-modified plants should be removed from the draft list of "harmful activities" that is being compiled in accordance with the charter, say academics who are in favour of the technology.


Putting commercial-scale GM crops on the list of harmful activities was only based on "sensationalist fear", and not on any scientific proof that GM crops could harm the environment and public health, they said.

The group, led by former Agriculture Department chief Anand Dalodom, spoke to the media on Wednesday shortly after a sub-committee on harmful activities completed public hearings on the draft list of activities that are required to follow Section 67 of the constitution.

he commercial cultivation of GM crops is one of 19 activities included on the draft list.

The drafting of the list was commissioned by the government-appointed four-party panel asked to fix the Map Ta Phut deadlock. The list aims to clarify which industrial activities should be covered by Section 67, which requires agencies in charge of approving projects with a possible heavy impact on the environment and public health consult an independent advisory body before giving the projects the go ahead.

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