Bangkok, July 27- Director General of the Department of Agriculture. Strict measures for the importation of hazardous substances through the Port of Bangkok Plant Checkpoint Suspending licenses - prosecuting 2 entrepreneurs for smuggling 200,000 liters of glyphosate, worth 25 million baht; extending intensive inspection of hazardous substances for another 60 days until September 15, 2023
Mr. Rapeepat Chantarasriwong, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture Entered the Bangkok Port plant quarantine area along with Dr. Patchayaphon Muenchaeng, Deputy Director General of the Department of Agriculture. Director of the Agricultural Inspectorate Group Chief of Plant Quarantine Station at Laem Chabang Port Head of Lat Krabang Plant Quarantine Station Bureau of Plant and Agricultural Materials Control To follow up on performance, control, inspect imports, exports of plant products and agricultural materials. According to the policy of Ms. Mananya Thaiset, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives that ordered the Department of Agriculture There are strict measures for the importation of hazardous substances through plant checkpoints.
Director General Department of Agriculture Revealed that he had suspended the license to import hazardous substances. of one company in Pathum Thani area at the Port of Bangkok Plant Quarantine Station The importation of hazardous substances, glyphosate, was detected. that is a type 3 hazardous substance without permission which is an offense under Section 23 of the Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535 and its amendments There is a penalty of imprisonment of not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than 100,000 baht or both. In addition, there are also offenses under Section 45 (1) in conjunction with Section 47 (1) (5) for importing and possessing counterfeit hazardous substances. which is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 7 years or a fine not exceeding 700,000 baht or both In this case, it was found that the value of the offense was worth more than 10 million baht, entering into a special case. Department of Agriculture therefore coordinated with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to join the investigation from which the examination found a yellow liquid The results were found to be glyphosate in the amount of 721 tanks, 200 liters each, totaling 144, 200 liters, therefore ordering to freeze as evidence in a complaint against DSI Prosecute the perpetrators and asked for the confiscation of their belongings for further destruction In addition to the criminal Entrepreneurs who violate and fail to comply with the Hazardous Substances Act B.E. 2535 (1992) and its amendments which the Department of Agriculture will invite DSI to give lectures in ways and methods In intense investigation to officials of the Department of Agriculture
It also ordered the seizure and expanded strict measures on the import of hazardous substances. through the plant checkpoint To prevent smuggling of dangerous substances for another 60 days from July 18, 2023 – September 15, 2023, due to the fact that the Department of Agriculture has had such measures for 60 days and the plant checkpoint at Bangkok Port Found that a company in the Samut Prakan area filed a notification (Importing the Kingdom/Exporting outside the Kingdom and import out of the customs) notify the import of hazardous substances Validamycin 3 % W/V SL import volume 48, 000 liters that there are 2 types of containers. Upon opening, inspection found liquid substances contained in 200-liter plastic drums with different colors, i.e., 49 yellow liquids and 191 green liquids. Result Initial examination found that The yellow substance is glyphosate. smuggling glyphosate by making a false statement in the import documents to circumvent official scrutiny for restrictions on the use of glyphosate; which, if found to have actually committed an offense Department of Agriculture will take action as required by law, such as suspension of import licenses. criminal proceedings according to Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535 and its amendments Notify the customs, take legal action according to the Customs Act and report a criminal case for declaring false documents to the authorities. 1992 and its amendments. Notify the customs, take legal action according to the Customs Act and report a criminal case for declaring false documents to the authorities. 1992 and its amendments. Notify the customs, take legal action according to the Customs Act and report a criminal case for declaring false documents to the authorities.
Director General Department of Agriculture Added that there are now fake pages impersonating the name. "Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives" to sell products in such cases Therefore, an agricultural inspector was assigned together with the Consumer Protection Offense Suppression Division (Bor Por Kor Kor.) to investigate immediately. by purchasing products to send to the laboratory for analysis If found to be a type 3 hazardous substance, the arrest and prosecution will be extended. If farmers have already bought the products, they can coordinate with the Cyber Agricultural Inspector. of the Department of Agriculture at number 063-2106252 to provide information for further legal action
He also charged plant inspectors to perform duties in accordance with import conditions. in the operation manual of the Plant Quarantine Act and strictly related laws Especially products that affect consumers. and those that are raw materials in the manufacturing plant, such as peeled mature coconuts and garlic, as well as surveillance of diseases and pests that may be attached to the product, leading to the spread of foreign pests that come to spread Until causing damage to farmers, economic conditions, including the crop production system in Thailand
along with instructing the staff of the Department of Agriculture Strict import control and export products that may affect farmers and consumers in the country to be in accordance with the law Consumers need food safety. Consume quality products Free from toxic residues and safe from pests Farmers have used quality inputs. especially agricultural hazardous materials In the group of pesticides, insect pests and herbicides, in addition, the Department of Agriculture has discussed with the Thai-Israel Chamber of Commerce and Seetrue, Israel. In the possibility of using advanced technology (AI) to use X-Ray to inspect plant products at the plant checkpoint.
On this occasion, the Rector of the Department of Agriculture also participated in planting olive trees in front of the Bangkok Plant Checkpoint building.-Thai News Agency
Source: Thai News Agency