GMO in Thai Sugar Cane Thai Queensland Dialogue

GMO in Thai Sugar Cane Thai – Queensland Dialogue #6 Renaissance Resort & Spa, Koh Samui 25 March 2010 Nutthapol Asadathorn, Ph. D. Thai Sugar Miller Co. , Ltd.

GMO in Thailand Cabinet Resolution in 2001 Not allow GMOs testing in field level Not allow imports, cultivate, commercial, possession Except : Soy bean & Maize – Raw materials for human food, animal feed, industrial use

Regulations Plant control act 1964 & 1999 GMO plants restriction - 40 types Increase to 49 types in 2003 Restriction: Import, cultivate, commercial, possession Exception: Research & trials

Bio-Safety Agricultural Biosafety Board, Department of agriculture Institutional Biosafety Committee Since 1993 Biosafety guidelines on researches & commercial 33 units in universities, colleges, companies Regulations : National Environment Board, Ministry of National Resources and Environment

Bio-safety (1) At least 1 crop cycle trial in lab or green house (2) At least 1 crop cycle trial in testing field (3) At least 2 crop cycles or locations in field Special watch : rice, maize, soy bean, papaya

Certification Non-GMO certification by Department of Agriculture Cane: Issue the certificate without testing (1 in 155 products)

White Leaf Disease Cause: Ph ytoplasma, 16 Sr. XI-B Stay in Phloem No variety that can tollerate Insect: Leafhopper M. hiroglyphicus Y. flavovitatus Sandy soil – Northeastern

White Leaf Disease Symtoms: Budding cane shows white-yellow narrow leaf Chlorophyll is destroyed Strong cane will not show symtom Treatments: Hot water (50ºC) 2 hours for cane seed Eliminate the infected cane

White Leaf Disease Research stage Study “Shiva-1 lytic peptide” Control the Phytoplasma growing in phloem National Center for Genetic Engineering Funded : National Science and Technology Development Agency

Conclusion Food industry prefer GMO free Export to Europe Restriction from government policy Food safety Bio-fuel production Production cost

Thank you