Farmers warned sales of unripe durians are illegal

BANGKOK, April 6 (TNA) -- Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is warning farmers and vendors that the selling of unripe durians is illegal, violating both the criminal law and consumers protection act. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chutima Bunyapraphasara said that between April and May, which is the durian season in Thailand, the high price of the king of fruits has become an incentive for farmers and sellers to start selling unripen durian, as the young produce would usually weigh more than those already ripe. The Department of Agricultural Extension has given a warning to all farmers and sellers to refrain from making money the easy way, as the selling of unripe durians violates the consumers protection act, and violators would be subjected to a fine and/or jail term. Moreover, the move would also cause the price of durians to decrease, said the Department. Not only will the selling of unripe durians affect the domestic market, said Ms Chutima, noting that it would also affect the export markets. She said in the next five years, Thai durians would be exported less as the produce in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia is begin to have higher quality, while both countries are also located next to China which is the largest export market in the world. The Department of Agricultural Extension Director-General Somchai Chanarongkul stressed that concerned agencies have set up special units to prevent the selling of unripe durians in province of origins, where those found violating the law are strictly punished. The department has also asked for cooperation from the durian farmers to effectively eradicate the selling of unripe durians from the market. (TNA)