Consumer Council Sues to Revoke Gene-Editing Approval
The Consumer Council sued Thailand's Agriculture Ministry to revoke approval for gene-edited organisms in agriculture, claiming the certification lacks adequate consumer and environmental protections.
The Consumer Council has filed a lawsuit at the Administrative Court seeking to revoke an Agriculture Ministry proclamation that opened the way for certification of gene-edited organisms in agriculture, arguing that adequate consumer and environmental protections are lacking. On September 7, Yupdee Sirisinsuk, Deputy Secretary-General of the Consumer Council, along with committee member Kannika Kittivetakul and representatives of livestock and fishing farmers, sued the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and eight related officials who jointly issued the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Proclamation on Gene-Edited Organism Certification for Agricultural Use, 2567, dated July 11, 2567, on grounds that it is unlawful. The plaintiffs argue the proclamation permits technology that alters the genetic makeup of plants, animals, and fish to enter the agricultural system and food chain, potentially harming farmers, consumers, and the environment broadly, while lacking sufficient regulatory safeguards. They are asking the court to annul the proclamation and suspend its enforcement during the litigation process until final judgment.
