Bangkok Post
Heat turned down on holy basil controversy
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Thailand’s agriculture minister has stepped in to calm the nerves of farmers and foodies about access to holy basil for the country’s beloved phat kaphrao stir-fry.
Key facts
- Thailand’s agriculture minister has stepped in to calm the nerves of farmers and foodies about access to holy basil for the country’s beloved phat kaphrao stir-fry.
- Suriya Juangroongruangkit was responding to concerns raised about rights protection for four varieties of holy basil granted to a subsidiary of the agribusiness conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group.
- The protection granted by the Department of Agriculture covers the Kaew Churee 01, 02, 03 and 04 varieties and is valid for 12 years from 2024 to 2036.
- The company developed the four varieties from an indigenous variety of holy basil codenamed CPR1 to find suitable varieties for food preparation, and specifically for use in the ready-to-eat meals that it makes.
Summary
Suriya Juangroongruangkit was responding to concerns raised about rights protection for four varieties of holy basil granted to a subsidiary of the agribusiness conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group.
He said farmers and the general public can grow protected varieties of holy basil for their own consumption, but growing for any commercial purposes would require permission from the rights holder.