NA members want tougher oversight on chemical use
National Assembly members have proposed that the government impose tougher measures in managing the distribution and use of dangerous chemicals so they can be brought under control. NA members expressed their wish on October 31 when debating the NA’s Standing Committee oversight of social and environmental impacts caused by the use of dangerous chemicals in industry and farming by both companies and individuals. It was recognised at the ongoing NA session that despite the government having enacted seven laws and some secondary legislative tools for managing business and industrial activities, many industries and plants did not follow the procedures on business authorisation, and carelessly released waste water and spent chemicals into the environment. Alongside these issues, unregulated imports and distribution of substandard food products, drugs, beverages, and fake cosmetic items have been found to be proliferating throughout the country. At the debate, NA member for Luang Prabang province, Mr Thongchanh Manixay, raised his concerns about chemicals discharged by the Phu Bia mining project into a lake which allegedly contained millions of cubic metres of chemicals mixed water.
