CP denies involvement in CPRAM’s four holy basil patents
The group says the patents leave farmers’ rights to more than 300 traditional varieties unchanged.
Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) said neither the group nor its senior chairman, Dhanin Chearavanont, was involved in obtaining patents for four new holy basil varieties in Thailand. It identified CPRAM as the company that sought and received the patents.
Responding to social media posts, CP rejected claims that its patent rights covered every variety of the herb in Thailand or that permission from the group was needed to grow or sell it. The group said the misinformation had confused the public and damaged its reputation and Dhanin’s.
CPRAM belongs to CP All Plc, a company listed on Thailand’s stock exchange. CP said its position as a shareholder did not authorise it to take decisions for CP All’s directors, management or subsidiaries.
According to CP, farmers retain their rights to more than 300 traditional holy basil varieties. The group said developing new varieties could improve yields and profits, and reserved its right to pursue legal action over distorted information that harmed it or the individuals concerned.
