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Crops Traders Oppose US GMO Corn Import, Fear Domestic Price Drop

Crops Traders Oppose US GMO Corn Import, Fear Domestic Price Drop

MGR Online•Politics•12d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai crops traders are urging government officials to reject a proposed one-million-ton import of U.S. GMO corn, citing fears of a price collapse for domestic produce and long-term economic damage, similar to the soybean market's decline.

  • •The Crops Traders Association has formally petitioned Dr. Varong Detkitvikkrom to oppose the government's plan to import one million tons of genetically modified (GMO) corn from the United States.
  • •The association warns that importing GMO corn could significantly depress domestic corn prices, negatively impacting the livelihoods of Thai farmers.
  • •Concerns were also raised regarding potential long-term health impacts on consumers and market unfairness, as domestic farmers are not permitted to grow GMO crops.
  • •The association draws a parallel to the Thai soybean industry, which dramatically contracted after import restrictions were lifted and tariffs reduced.

Overview

  • •The Crops Traders Association submitted a petition to Dr. Varong Detkitvikkrom on June 4 to oppose the government's intention to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for importing GMO corn from the United States.
  • •The proposed import volume of U.S. GMO corn is 1 million tons.
  • •The association fears the import will negatively impact domestic production prices, similar to the past experience with soybeans.
  • •Before 2007, Thailand had approximately 3 million rai planted with soybeans, but imports and zero tariffs led to the near disappearance of domestic soybean cultivation.
  • •The association expresses concern about potential long-term health impacts on Thai consumers from GMO products due to a lack of clear research.
  • •Thai farmers may face reduced income and livelihood opportunities if domestic corn prices fall due to competition with imports, similar to the soybean situation.
  • •Dr. Varong Detkitvikkrom urged the government to re-evaluate signing the MOU to protect and promote the livelihoods of Thai farmers.
  • •The import is seen as unfair because Thai farmers are not allowed to grow GMO corn domestically but must compete with imported products.

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Key Quotes

Terdsak Lapjitkulsan
"If the government proceeds with the MOU, corn may face the same fate as soybeans."
หากรัฐบาลเดินหน้าทำ MOU ดังกล่าว เกรงว่าข้าวโพดจะเผชิญชะตากรรมเช่นเดียวกับถั่วเหลือง
Terdsak Lapjitkulsan
"income and livelihood opportunities for farmers."
รายได้และโอกาสในการประกอบอาชีพของชาวไร่ชาวนา
Terdsak Lapjitkulsan
"There is no research that can clearly confirm the long-term health impacts from consuming GMO products throughout a human's life."
ไม่มีงานวิจัยที่สามารถยืนยันผลกระทบในระยะยาวตลอดช่วงชีวิตของมนุษย์จากการบริโภคผลิตภัณฑ์ที่มาจากพืชดัดแปลงพันธุกรรมได้อย่างชัดเจน
Dr. Varong Detkitvikkrom
"Importing GMO corn for animal feed production, currently in process, may directly impact the economy of Thai farmers."
การนำเข้าข้าวโพด GMO เพื่อใช้เป็นวัตถุดิบในการผลิตอาหารสัตว์ ซึ่งขณะนี้ยังอยู่ในขั้นตอนการดำเนินการ อาจส่งผลกระทบโดยตรงต่อเศรษฐกิจของเกษตรกรไทย

Key Entities

Organization

Crops Traders Association(สมาคมการค้าพืชไร่)
An organization that petitioned the government to oppose the import of U.S. GMO corn.
Thai Pakdee Party(พรรคไทยภักดี)ℹ️
The political party of Dr. Varong Detkitvikkrom.

Person

Varong Detkitvikkrom(วรงค์)ℹ️
A Member of Parliament (MP) for the Thai Pakdee Party to whom the Crops Traders Association submitted a petition.
Terdsak Lapjitkulsan(เทอดศักดิ์ ลาภจิตรกุศล)
The president of the Crops Traders Association who led a petition against the import of U.S. GMO corn.

Place

United States(สหรัฐฯ)ℹ️
The country from which GMO corn is proposed to be imported.

Law

GMO Corn(ข้าวโพด GMO)ℹ️
Genetically modified corn that the Crops Traders Association is opposing for import.
Soybeans(ถั่วเหลือง)ℹ️
A crop whose decline in Thailand is cited as a cautionary example regarding agricultural imports.