Thailand proposes ban on insecticide methomyl

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) has issued a draft notification reclassifying the insecticide methomyl as a hazardous substance type 4.

Previously classified as a type 3 substance, the change will result in the substance, which has applications in consumer and agricultural products, being banned.
The Thai FDA investigated the danger to human life and health, including the toxicity of residue on agricultural products which was provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), World Health Organization (WHO)  and other relevant studies. Due to its high toxicity and immediate danger to human health the authority proposes ban methomyl from use in household and agricultural products.

Under Thai regulations, type 3 hazardous substances require a permit while type 4 are banned from being imported/exported and manufactured. Under the amendment methomyl is prohibited from being imported, exported or manufactured in Thailand. This extends to possession of the substance.