Farmers Disappointed as Commerce Minister Supachee Signs MOU to Import 1 Million Tons of GMO Corn from the US
Thailand's Commerce Minister signed a deal to import one million tons of genetically modified corn from the US, ignoring farmer protests that the move will depress already-struggling domestic corn prices.
Farmers are disappointed after Commerce Minister Supachee Suthammaphan signed a memorandum of understanding to import one million tons of genetically modified corn from the United States, with concerns that it will push domestic corn prices even lower. On May 22, Thawathai Tathiang, chairman of the Phichit Province Farmers Council, spoke following the announcement. Thawathai stated that Thailand's heaviest impact would be further depression of domestic corn prices. The Commerce Ministry had already announced a domestic corn procurement program for local farmers. The National Farmers Council had actually sent representatives to oppose the move and requested a review, with representatives presenting their case to the Feed Corn Policy and Management Committee. However, their concerns were ignored. Thawathai expressed frustration that farmer voices were not heard, and despite the opposition, the MOU to import GMO corn from the United States was signed anyway.
