Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of a new insecticide developed by Bayer that is being considered for approval for distribution on the Irish market. Much concern has been expressed about this insecticide, flupyradifurone.The insecticide has been linked with killing bees and other insects that are crucial for the growth of crops and other vegetation. This is a worry as three quarters of the world's crops are pollinated by bees and other insects. With the number of environmental experts and research that outline the harmful effects of the insecticide or the serious risks it poses for food production and the entire food system, along with the way it challenges ecological diversity and biodiversity, will the Leader of the House take up the issue with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine? Will they allay my concerns and the concerns expressed to me about the possible introduction of the insecticide in Europe? Other European countries have challenged the introduction of the insecticide but, in general, Brussels has given it a green light. Use of the insecticide has been challenged in the United States. There has been cause to ban certain insecticides that have been shown to kill off bees. We all know, from recent publicity, the crucial role that bees play in food production.