Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action she will take to prevent Directives of EU Parliament's Environment Committee proceeding with proposals to restrict crop protection which would seriously impact on food supply especially in crops like, potatoes and other vegetable crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32501/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Directives mentioned in the question refer to the proposals of the EU Commission on the sustainable use of pesticides which are currently under consideration. These proposals are subject to the Co-decision process, involving both the EU Council and the EU Parliament working in parallel. The EU Parliament adopted a position on these proposals at its plenary session on 23 October last. I am aware that the European Parliament's adopted position refers to "use reduction", prohibitions or severe restrictions in relation to use of certain plant protection products. My Department is actively participating in the discussions at Council, and is aware of the possible negative consequences for Irish crop production of the EU Parliament's agreed position.

At EU Council, my Department's position is that:

any additional controls proposed be justified,

any use restrictions to be based on scientifically valid risk assessments,

and environmentally sensitive agricultural production be sustainable.

While the 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 and discussions on the proposals are continuing.