The crop distribution revision committee has agreed to shift the authority to distribute agricultural products acquired through the price intervention program from the Public Warehouse Organization to the Department of Foreign Trade in hope of putting an end to the dispute over the Commerce Ministry's plan to distribute 2.6 million tonnes of rice.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsubhan, in his capacity as chairman of the crop distribution revision committee, said the committee has ruled to shift the authority to oversee the distribution of agricultural products from the Public Warehouse Organization to the Department of Foreign Trade.

With the change, the director general of the Department of Foreign Trade will be appointed as chairman of the crop distribution committee while Commerce Minister Porntiwa Nakasai will assume the post of chairman of the sub-committee tasked with marketing.

Porntiwa confirmed that she supports the change, adding that having the Department of Foreign Trade overseeing the process will accelerate the operation and improve transparency.

The crop distribution revision committee is a joint body consisting of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep, Commerce Minister Porntiwa, Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu, the Deputy Finance Minister and the secretary general of the National Economic and Social Development Board.

The 2.6 million tons of rice in question is expected to be distributed to 17 exporters at the price of 14,000 baht per ton despite an average market price of 16,000-17,000 baht.

The committee is created out of the conflict between Porntiwa and Korbsak over the controversial rice distribution plan, which would cost the government a loss of 20 billion baht. However, the Commerce Minster has insisted the government will lose more if it does not promptly take action.

Source: TANN