Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her proposals at European level to eliminate the use of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides on crops in the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15361/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Commission has proposed a Thematic Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides which is currently under negotiation in the EU. The Strategy includes a number of initiatives to reduce the impact of pesticides including a revised and extended Regulatory system for plant protection products. A proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council is also being discussed which concerns the placing of plant protection products on the market. This proposal currently includes a provision for 'hazard-based cut-off criteria' as a mechanism for making decisions relating to the approval of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. If unchanged, this provision could result in a significant reduction in the number of substances available for plant protection use in Europe. My Department is continuing to press for a risk-based approach for the authorisation of these products which is the current system followed in the EU.