News Forum - Thailand enforces ban on maize imports from field burning regions

[Thaiger]

The Government of Thailand has given the green light to a ban on maize imports from regions notorious for field burning, a practice contributing to the annual smog crisis. This legislation is slated to come into force within the year. This action is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the recurring smog issue, which … …

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[ChrisS]

"In related news, the Government of Thailand has chosen not to declare Chiang Mai a disaster zone despite escalating air pollution, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The decision was largely influenced by concerns that such a declaration could negatively impact the province’s tourism industry"

Standard procedure in Thailand hush it up and hope no one finds out!

[Ramanathan.P]

"imposed import bans will adhere to the pertinent World Trade Organisation rules. However, the actual enforcement of these bans will have to be postponed until the anticipated Clean Air Act is passed later this year".

Why declare , when it has a long way of uncertainity in the implementation and enforcements. 

 

[MrStretch]

Once again, this really isn't true.

There is no ban, so no ban to be enforced.

There is a proposed ban, which can't take effect until other elements are in place.

And unless maize is only produced in those hot spot areas seen on satellite, it's a ban that is unlikely to be able to be enforced.

And while engaging in finger pointing, why doesn't the government initiate a ban on sugar producers in THIS country that burn their crops to make harvesting easier, and rice farmers who burn the stubble in their fields?

[Leeshard]

So Chiang Mai is, in fact, a disaster area but the government doesn’t want to officially declare it as such as the amount of money tourists spend when they’re there is more important than their health. You heard it from the government first. 

[TSS]

Oh yeah this will definitely make a huge difference. So excited and looking forward to clean air very soon. Thank you government of Thailand

Edited March 20 by TSS
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[Khunmark]

1 hour ago, Leeshard said:

So Chiang Mai is, in fact, a disaster area but the government doesn’t want to officially declare it as such as the amount of money tourists spend when they’re there is more important than their health. You heard it from the government first. 

Agreed. It seems the metric used to decide on the classification of a disaster zone has absolutely zero to do with health and safety and everything to do with the effect on tourism. What made it truly bizarre is that he (Srettha) seemed oblivious the implications of his assertion.

[Khunmark]

That the first line of attack when extinguishing bushfires is leaf blowers and not fire hoses, speaks volumes.