Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the use of the wood preservative known as chromated copper arsenate is permitted under Irish environmental law; if she has satisfied herself that this substance is no longer in use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35088/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Copper chrome arsenate is a wood preservative and is regulated under the biocides Directive 98/8 which was transposed into Irish legislation by S.I. 625/2001. All wood preservatives are currently being reviewed and evaluated at European Community level as part of the implementation of this directive and copper chrome arsenate is not being defended under this process. As a result, all Irish and European uses of copper chrome arsenate as a wood preservative will cease from 1 September 2006.

In the meantime a limited number of uses for this wood preservative will continue which still allows this material to be used for the industrial pressure vacuum treatment of timber used for industrial purposes, for example, noise barriers, pilings and stakes.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the wood preservative known as Tanalith E has been cleared for use here; the steps which have been taken to ensure that its use does not pose a threat to the environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35089/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Tanalith E has been notified for use as a wood preservative in Ireland in accordance with the provisions of the biocides legislation. Tanalith E contains the biocide active agents copper carbonate, propiconazole, tebuconazole and boric acid, all of which are at present being reviewed at European level as required by Directive 98/8. This review is expected to be finalised for each of these active agents by June 2007 and these active substances will remain on the market only if they are demonstrated to be safe for man, animals and the environment.

It should be noted that propiconazole is already fully approved at European level for use as a plant protection product and tebuconazole is also at an advanced stage in this process.