The Forum discussed the advertising of agricultural chemicals, sales promotion at local level, and establishment of chemical pesticide surveillance and warning system.
Nowadays, agricultural production widely and heavily relies on chemical pesticide application. The misuses of chemical pesticides by farmers, the failure to enforce policies and laws, and the promotion of chemical products have caused serious adverse impacts on farmers and consumers health, ecosystem, and the environment, according to the forum on “Agriculture and Food Safety” in the 9th National Health Assembly organised on 22 December 2016. Although, Thailand has the Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2551 (2008), it has limitations regarding farmers and consumers health protection because the Act does not only focus on pesticide management but covers all hazardous chemicals in general. Therefore, policy formulation and law enactment related to agriculture are in urgent need, particularly, the supervision of chemical pesticide registration for effectiveness and transparency, the emphasis on stakeholder participation as well as the promotion of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
The Forum was hosted by National Health Commission Office (NHCO), a government agency established as juristic person under supervision of the prime minister in accordance with the National Health Act B.E. 2550 and as secretariat for the National Health Commission (NHC) at Impact Forum, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi, Thailand The forum has the objectives to engage relevant parties including government agencies, academic institutes, civil society organizations and private organizations to exchange and share their knowledge and views on the Draft Pesticide Safety Act which consists of key issues such as the advertising of agricultural chemicals, the sales promotion at local level, and the establishment of chemical pesticide surveillance and warning system. In addition, the success stories of agriculture and food safety implementation both at policy and local level were shared at the event.
About 100 participants attended the Forum and they generally expressed support to the separation of the Draft Pesticide Safety Act from the Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2551 (2008) for effective control of pesticides and protecting human health and the environment. The Act will contribute to achieving food safety and sustainable agrifood systems in Thailand.