The Commerce Minister defends the corn bid plan that was endorsed ten years ago.
PUBLISHED: 14 Perhaps 2024 at 20: 24
Phumtham Wechayachai, the government’s business secretary, is threatening legal action against those who he claims are spreading “false information” about the ten-year-old corn shares the government intends to auction off.
The Computer Crime Act prohibits critics from using false information and uploading misleading information onto computer systems. If they do n’t stop, I will assign agencies to take action”, said Mr Phumtham, who is also a deputy prime minister.
” Do n’t devalue Thai rice as this will ruin the country’s reputation in the long term”.
Responding to censure of the president’s management of the corn matter by Warong Dechgitvigrom, deputy director of the Thai Pakdee Party, Mr Phumtham said it should be based on facts and data.
The whistle-blower who exposed the rice-pledging scandal under the previous Yingluck Shinawatra state, Dr. Warong, previously claimed that the old grain shares had no stamp of approval.
” The corn was subjected to clear checks. The grain is fit for bidding. Old rice and fresh crops may not always scent alike. The corn may become exported to Africa”, Mr Phumtham said.
” I want to issue Dr Warong to prove]the value of the corn is substandard]. If it turns out to be good, however, Dr Warong may get responsibility”, he added.
Mr. Phumtham previously stated on Twitter that the government wants to sell the corn leftover from the contentious rice-pledging initiative in order to generate some income.
Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, promised to send samples for laboratory testing to ensure their security.
Weerachai Phutdhawong, an expert in organic chemistry, claims to have found aflatoxins on rice after being asked by a media channel to analyze samples taken from Surin warehouses. A higher risk of kidney cancer has been linked to toxins.
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC ) announced on Tuesday that it wants to take more samples of the 10-year-old rice to check whether it is free of harmful residue.
A report from Kasetsart University, according to Council Secretary-general Saree Aungsomwang, revealed arsenic contamination after initial tests were performed on samples from Surin province.
Consumers were curious to know if stored wheat that had been repeatedly fumigated, especially over a period as long as ten years, was actually edible under foods safety guidelines.
She said,” We have already written a text to the Ministry of Commerce asking that we let our team pick up the grain tests for inspections.” ” However, there has been no reply but far”,
She added that the government should inform the general public about the product’s safety. Additionally, she suggested that any such corn does have a label indicating that it was produced under the pledge plan.
Ms. Saree added that since everyone has a right to healthy food, the ministry may stop holding auctions for potential buyers until there is evidence to support it.