Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has made any representation to the European Commission regarding the formulation of the EU plan for sustainable pesticides use; if so, the content of such representation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22367/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has overall responsibility for matters within the competence of the Environment Council. The proposals being developed by the Commission on sustainable use of plant protection products follow from the Sixth Environmental Action Programme and are being developed following detailed consultation with interested parties.

While there have been no representations made to the Commission, officials from my Department participated in a stakeholders' conference on the subject in November 2002. A response to a questionnaire issued to canvas regulatory authority opinion on a range of possible strategies was submitted earlier this year. My Department continues to be supportive of sustainable initiatives that reduce risks for man, animals and the environment associated with crop protection.