Associated Press | October 18, 1999
BANGKOK, Thailand - Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi was cited as saying that Thailand will ban imports of seeds derived from genetically modified organisms pending clear scientific proof they are safe.
The story says that Thailand, the world's number-one rice exporter and a major producer of other foods for export, has become increasingly edgy over mounting concerns about the safety of genetically modified foods.
Supachai, who is also trade minister and will head the World Trade Organization in three years' time, was cited as announcing the ban after a meeting of the government's International Economic Relations Policy Committee.
The committee agreed to ban the import of genetically modified organisms in food for commercial purposes, but would allow in such seeds for research and experiments.
Thailand will also allow the import of grains like corn and soybean to produce animal feed meal, but they will not be cleared for human consumption or for cultivation.
The ban will last until the public accepts proof that genetically modified food provides more benefits than drawbacks, Supachai said.
