Ministers attached to the Bhumjaithai Party will quit their jobs if they fail to convince the authorities to ban three pesticides that have been used for farming despite their high toxicity, party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday.

Mr Anutin, who is also Public Health Minister, said that he and his colleague, Deputy Agriculture Minister Mananya Thaiset, are ready to show their spirit by tendering their resignations if the proposed ban is shot down by the National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC).

“We need to go because the failure means we have no power to rule,” Mr Anutin said.



Mr Anutin and Ms Mananya have spearheaded the campaign to ban the use of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, which are harmful to the environment and health.



Health advocates have cited research by Mahidol University which claims that paraquat can be even transferred from mother to foetus in the womb.



Ms Mananya has also set up a panel to study the impact of the three chemicals after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed concern over the issue. The nine panellists later voted 9-0 in favour of the ban, Mr Anutin said.



“I’ve personally talked with Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit who also told me that he disagrees with the use of the chemicals,” he said.



Mr Anutin insisted he is not sparking a conflict against giant chemical companies. His stance against the three pesticides is based on his intention to protect the health of the public, he said.



Greenpeace Thailand has also reiterated its call on the government to do away with chemical-based farming and promote organic and sustainable agriculture.



“We must change the direction of farming towards safety,” said Rattanasiri Kittikongnaphang, the environmental group's coordinator for food and eco-farming campaign.

The 29-member NHSC is scheduled to consider the issue later this month. So far the group has only agreed to limit the use of the chemicals until it finds better alternatives.



The Office of the Ombudsman said last Wednesday that the NHSC must demonstrate a sound reason if it decides to ignore the ban.