Bangkok: The government has clarified that Supajee Suthamphan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, never signed an agreement to import animal feed corn from the United States. It stressed that this was a private sector agreement, and all imports must adhere to government-imposed conditions to safeguard Thai farmers' interests.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, addressed the misinformation circulating on social media. The posts alleged that Ms. Supajee had signed an order to import 1 million tons of animal feed corn from the US, including claims of genetically modified organisms (GMO) corn, which could potentially affect Thai farmers. Ms. Lalida confirmed these claims are false and misleading.
Ms. Lalida further explained that the Ministry of Commerce has verified that the importation of animal feed corn is a matter of cooperation and agreement between private sectors in Thailand and the US. There was no government involvement, nor did the agreement specify GMO corn. All imports must comply with the stringent measures and conditions set by government agencies.
The need for the private sector to import animal feed corn arises due to insufficient domestic production to meet demand. Additionally, imports from neighboring countries have sharply declined due to measures addressing the PM2.5 pollution problem, necessitating alternative raw material sources for the production sector.
The government has implemented conditions to protect domestic farmers, including import quotas aligned with the WTO framework. The rules stipulate that for every part of wheat imported, businesses must purchase three parts of domestic animal feed corn. Imports under the WTO framework are capped at 1 million tons, with higher tariffs imposed on any excess.
Ms. Lalida emphasized that the government prioritizes the welfare of Thai farmers and the stability of domestic agricultural prices. Imports of animal feed corn must adhere to established rules and conditions, ensuring farmers receive fair compensation. The public is urged to verify information from official sources to avoid spreading misinformation that could lead to widespread misunderstanding.