Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 878: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the investigation carried out by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in the United Kingdom on the effect of agricultural chemicals when sprayed on farmers and other persons, especially developing children living in the vicinity of the sprayed area; if her attention has been further drawn to the position of a person (details supplied); and if she will redouble efforts to help farmers to embrace organic farming methods to improve their health and their financial returns. [24940/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the report and of the concerns raised relating to potential risks associated with crop spraying. The report, commissioned in June 2004, was published on 22 September 2005. Time will be required to study the report in detail and to consider the recommendations made. The arrangements in place in Ireland for the assessment of risks for bystanders who may be exposed when crops are sprayed take account of the most extreme exposures likely to occur and are based on consideration of health effects on all sectors of the community, including vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. The arrangements in place will be reviewed in the light of the report. The opinion of Professor Howard will be considered in conjunction with the opinions of other toxicologists and scientists that review relevant data available. Consideration is being given to the use of probabilistic approaches for the estimation of potential exposure for workers and the public, an approach that is recommended in the report.

I am strongly committed to the development of the organic sector in Ireland. Substantial financial incentives for organic farmers are already in place in the rural environmental protection scheme, REPS. The relevant conditions of REPS were modified when REPS 3 was introduced in 2004 to make the option more attractive and accessible for farmers than it had been previously and I aim to build on these improvements in drawing up the successor to REPS 3. Special investment aid is also available for organic farmers and processors under the scheme of grant aid for the development of the organic sector.