Agriculture Minister Orders Probe into Basil Variety Patents
Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit ordered the Department of Agriculture to investigate CP RAM Company's plant variety protection registration for four basil strains within one week, amid public fears it could restrict farmers' traditional cultivation and sales. The department clarified that the registration applies only to newly developed varieties, not common basil, which can still be freely grown and sold.
At 7:30 a.m. on October 24, 2026, at Sanam Luang, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit addressed public concern after CP RAM Company filed for plant variety protection on four new basil strains that might impact sales. He acknowledged the research by the private company and understood farmers' worries since basil cultivation is their livelihood and way of life. The Minister affirmed he would protect farmers' rights under the law. His first step is directing the Department of Agriculture to verify whether the company's registration followed legal procedures and report back with findings. The department also holds its own researched basil varieties. When asked about the timeline, Suriya said he aims to complete the review within one week, stressing this issue directly affects farmers and their rights must be safeguarded. Regarding whether CP RAM actually researched four new basil varieties, Suriya confirmed that was the information provided. On whether existing basil varieties resemble the newly researched strains, he said he would verify first but reiterated that farmers' rights would not be impacted. The Department of Agriculture later clarified that common basil can still be planted, eaten, and sold normally, as the registration only covers newly researched strains.
