Tilapia saga resurfaces

The issue of nonnative Blackchin tilapia fish in Thai waterways has returned to public attention after a public prosecutor last week indicted environmental activist Witoon Lian-chamroon, founder of BIOTHAI, in a criminal court for allegedly defaming agro titan Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF).

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The company have accused Mr Witoon of defamation over content from an academic seminar last year on the impact of the Blackchin tilapia on Thailand’s waterways.

BIOTHAI — a local advocacy group on food security and sustainable farming — has accused the CPF of having a role in leaking the invasive species from its research laboratory into the environment, an accusation that the agro titan has sternly denied.

CPF is the sole permitted importer of the fish, which is native to West Africa. Over 14 years ago, the company imported the fish to conduct breeding research at a facility in Samut Songkram province.

While CPF is entitled to defend its name, the lawsuit will face opposition from activists against the so-called “SLAPP law” (strategic lawsuit against public participation).