Surin governor says GM rice not necessary for Thailand
http://www.mcot.org/query.php?nid=35055

SURIN, Jan 22 (TNA) - The governor of one of Thailand's most important rice-growing provinces today called on agriculturalists to shift towards organic farming methods, while insisting that Thailand have no need for genetically modified rice strains.

Speaking to members of Greenpeace and a provincial network of 'alternative' farmers at an event entitled 'Caravan of Smiling Rice', the Governor of the country's northeastern Surin Province, Mr. Kasemsak Saenphot, warned of the need to build up defences against the possibility of GM rice coming to Thailand on a commercial scale.

Speaking of the need for the society to know of the dangers of genetically modified crops, he noted that several Thai farmers had already turned to sustainable methods of rice cultivation which did not employ chemicals.

The success of such projects indicated that GM rice was not necessary for Thailand, he said.

Today's event also included performances by local 'songs for life' artists and exhibitions on sustainable farming.(TNA)--E006