28/November/19

 

Thailand has backed down on a plan to prohibit three pesticides from December 1 after coming under pressure from farmers, the US government and lobbyists for chemical companies. The ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos will be delayed until June 1 next year, Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said in a briefing. Glyphosate won’t be banned but its use will be restricted, he said. A member of the National Hazardous Substances Committee, which oversaw the original ban on the pesticides, has resigned in protest at the committee’s reversal of its decision. GMWatch

 

 

The question of whether the UK will open its doors to GMOs after Brexit has become more pertinent after EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told MEPs that in order to secure a trade agreement, the UK would have to agree to maintain a "level playing field" and not undercut EU regulation. Barnier said that if a new UK government sought to diverge from EU regulatory standards that would weaken environmental standards there will never be a free trade agreement. GMOs are at the forefront of the debate. EURACTIV.com