Thai Agriculture officials have reportedly allowed the distribution of genetically modified papaya seeds to farmers across the country and Greenpeace is seeking punishment for those actions.
Patwajee Srisuwan, who is a genetic engineering campaigner for Green Peace Southeast Asia, said, "We decided to sue the (Department of Agriculture) because we have been waiting for more than two years for them to do their duties."
Ms. Srisuwan said her group is also asking Thailand's Department of Agriculture (DOA) to recall an order allowing open field testing of genetically modified (GMO) papaya and to order additional decontamination of papaya plants believed to be tainted by the genetically engineered fruit. She added, "Greenpeace tried every means to get the DOA to stop this massive GMO papaya contamination and end all GMO field trials, but the DOA and related government agencies failed to act to protect public interest."
The government of Thailand has been pushing for GMO research with the aim of improving agricultural output by making papaya more resistant to disease.
