Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her proposals to limit the time for crop spraying near to bee keeping operations to the period from sundown to sunrise (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23732/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The regulatory system for plant protection products is designed to ensure a high level of protection for man, animals and the environment. The authorisation process for individual plant protection products involves a detailed assessment of the degree of potential exposure of honeybees that could arise as well as an assessment of possible impacts on honeybees. Plant protection products are not authorised for uses that involve unacceptable risks for honeybees. The permitted uses of products that present some risks for bees are adjusted to minimise the risks arising. For such products, labelling requirements must include safety advice for the farmer in regard to the use restrictions applied in crops where honeybees forage.