CP Group Denies Basil Monopoly Claims, Vows Legal Action
CP Group clarified that its subsidiary CPRAM, not the parent group or Chairman Dhanin Chearavanont, registered four new basil varieties for plant variety protection. The company denied claims it monopolized all basil in Thailand, noting over 300 varieties exist and farmers retain full rights to cultivate traditional strains. CP Group warned of legal action against parties spreading false information that damaged its reputation.
CP Group has issued a clarification regarding the plant variety protection registration for four new basil varieties by CPRAM Co., Ltd. (CPRAM), which sparked widespread misunderstanding that Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) had secured rights to all basil nationwide, preventing farmers and locals from growing or selling basil without CP permission — a claim the group says is false and has caused public alarm and reputational damage.
CP Group states that the research, development, and registration decisions for the four basil varieties were undertaken solely by CPRAM, a subsidiary of CP ALL Plc., which operates under independent governance as a listed company. Neither Dhanin Chearavanont nor CP Group directed or holds rights to these plant varieties. CPRAM functions under its own board and management, separate from CP Group's shareholder role.
The group emphasizes its commitment to agricultural innovation, believing new variety development strengthens Thailand's farming and food sectors while creating choices and higher yields for farmers — not restricting them. With over 300 basil varieties existing, CP stresses that legitimate farmer rights to traditional varieties remain unaffected. While respecting fair scrutiny, CP Group reserves the right to take legal action against those deliberately spreading false, misleading, or defamatory information to protect the legitimate rights and reputation of the organization and individuals involved.
