Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the decision by the European Parliament on the regulation of plant protection products which will have devastating consequences for yields and income in tillage farming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27085/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the position recently adopted by the European Parliament regarding the proposed legislation on the marketing and use of Plant Protection Products.

This area is subject to Co-decision procedures and, while the EU Parliament has adopted a position, Council has not yet completed a first reading of the legislative texts concerned. Consequently there is no agreed EU position at this time.

My Department is actively participating in the discussions at Council, and is acutely aware of the possible negative consequences for Irish farming of the EU Parliament's agreed position.

We are negotiating to ensure:

that any additional controls proposed are justified,

that any use restrictions are based on scientifically valid risk assessments and

that environmentally sensitive agricultural production is sustainable.