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Published on October 10, 2007

The signature collection, said Natwipha Ewasakul, genetic engineering campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, will then be submitted to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

"The public's voice on this issue must be heard, especially given the grave impacts such a decision to allow field trials of GM crops to be take place will have on public health, the environment and the economy," said Natwipha.

The campaign is challenging efforts by the Agriculture Ministry to convince the government to lift the ban on field trials of GM crops.

The cabinet of Thaksin Shinawatra in 2004 banned GM crop field trials reasoning it would harm biological diversity, as the country has not yet developed proper measures to prevent the spread of GM crops into the environment.

"If the Surayud administration is really interested in advancing the interests of Thai farmers and consumers, then it must immediately put a stop to moves by the Agriculture Ministry, which in the end will only serve the interests of multinational agro-chemical companies," Natwipha said.

Starting yesterday around the Silom business area in Bangkok, Greenpeace vowed to continue its name-gathering campaign nationwide.

An online version of the petition can be accessed at www.greenpeace.or.th

The Nation