Thailand reverses glyphosate weed killer ban following push back from nation’s farmers

Thailand reversed a decision [Nov. 27] to ban a controversial weedkiller and extended the permitted use of two other pesticides for six months, following pushback from its multi-billion dollar agriculture industry.

Glyphosate—a weed killer better known by its trade name Roundup—is a lightning rod for controversy, as more than 42,700 lawsuits pile up in the US with plaintiffs alleging that it caused diseases including terminal cancers.

But it remains popular among farmers in Thailand—one of the world’s leading rice and sugar producers—who are among the heaviest users of pesticides in a sector that employs 40 percent of the population.

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[T]he kingdom [in October] decided the trio [of pesticides] would be prohibited from its crops by Dec 1. But Thailand’s National Hazardous Substances Committee ruled …. that the continued “limited” use of glyphosate would be permitted, said Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, without elaborating.

The committee’s decision, which was “unanimous”, also allows farmers to continue using the two other pesticides until June 1, 2020, he added.

Read full, original article: Thailand reverses ban on weed killer linked to cancer