Bangkok, Minister Thammanat urged the committee to solve the problem of black chin tilapia to conclude measures to solve the problem in order to kick off as soon as possible. The most urgent measure is for farmers who raise aquatic animals and the public to catch and sell them, with money from the Rubber Plantation Aid Fund to buy them to make fertilizer, including the central budget. The purchase price is 15 baht per kilogram.
Colonel Thammanat Prompao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, came to summarize the measures to accelerate the resolution of the black-chinned tilapia problem while the committees to resolve the black-chinned tilapia problem at both the ministry and provincial levels were meeting for more than 4 hours, but could not reach a conclusion because representatives of farmers, aquaculture farmers, and local fishermen did not agree with releasing the predatory fish to eat the black-chinned tilapia because they were not confident that it would be effective. They wanted to use the budge
t to buy them at a price of 20 baht per kilogram instead.
Finally, Colonel Thamanat concluded that he had discussed with the Prime Minister to purchase at a price of 15 baht per kilogram, and reminded the representatives of aquaculture farmers not to negotiate because it would prevent the conclusion of the action plan from being completed and the kick-off would not be possible.
Initially, the money from the Rubber Plantation Aid Fund will be used to purchase for making fertilizer, including the central budget, which has been discussed with the Prime Minister. In addition, the farmer group in the Northeast will be coordinated to purchase for making fermented fish.
The purchase will not specify a time frame. Buy until the problem is gone. Also, emphasize that do not breed for sale. Will not buy at all. And it is also illegal.
As for the issue that society is questioning about the fact that a large company requested permission from the Fisheries Department to bring in black-chinned tilapia from Africa for re
search to improve the breed as an economic fish in 2010, will it escape into natural water sources and cause damage to both the fisheries economy and the ecosystem? Colonel Thammanat had Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, Director-General of the Fisheries Department, explain the truth to society, which Mr. Bancha confirmed that it did indeed import. As for the rumor that the company sent fish samples by pickling them and sending them to the Fisheries Department for storage, the sample storage room was inspected and no evidence was found. Colonel Thammanat ordered the establishment of a fact-finding committee to clarify the facts again in order to provide clarity to society.
After reaching a conclusion at a price of 15 baht per kilogram, the representatives of the aquaculture farmers were somewhat satisfied. Although they wanted 20 baht per kilogram, they initially accepted it in order to start the operation.
Source: Thai News Agency