Bangkok: The Minister of Agriculture has dispatched the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries to engage in negotiations with aquaculture farmers protesting the outbreak of the black-chinned tilapia in 19 provinces. Approximately 200 farmer representatives gathered at the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) and planned to march to the Government House, urging authorities to recognize their plight and hold those responsible for the outbreak accountable.
According to Thai News Agency, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has tasked Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, with communicating with the aggrieved farmers. These farmers have assembled in front of the ALRO, seeking government intervention regarding the black-chinned tilapia situation.
The farmers have presented several demands. They are calling for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the source of the outbreak. Although the Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a fact-finding committee, no concrete evidence has emerged to trace the outbreak’s origin. Legal proceedings are ongoing in both the Central Administrative Court and the Civil Court.
Additionally, the farmers are demanding compensation for ecological damage caused by the outbreak. The Prime Minister is expected to direct relevant government bodies to file lawsuits against those found responsible. The Department of Fisheries has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other agencies in legal proceedings.
The farmers have also requested immediate relief for those impacted by the outbreak. The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Department of Fisheries, has already purchased 3.5 million kilograms of fish and is seeking a budget of 200 million baht to address the crisis.
Another critical demand is for the declaration of disaster zones in affected areas to facilitate access to relief funds. The Ministry of Agriculture has formed a committee to evaluate this request. Furthermore, the farmers seek the formation of national and provincial committees to eradicate the black-chinned tilapia, a move already initiated by the Ministry.
Mr. Bancha Sukkaew is coordinating with Mr. Somkid Chuekong, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs, to meet with the farmers and work towards resolving the issue.
Led by Mr. Thira Wongcharoen, the farmers are vocalizing their demands, which include the urgent eradication of the invasive fish within a year and the restoration of the ecosystem. They also plan to demonstrate at the Government House by pouring black-chinned tilapia on its premises and conducting a symbolic ceremony to curse those they hold responsible for the 13-year-long crisis.
