Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has undertaken an assessment of the implications for farming here of the EU plan to reduce the use of crop sprays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19655/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission has proposed a Thematic Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. The Strategy includes a number of initiatives to reduce the impact of sprays. The Commission has proposed a framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides. The aim of this proposal is to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment. The current Commission proposal does not contain any plan to "reduce the use of crop sprays", except in "sensitive areas", where restrictions on use will be subjected to a risk assessment. Since my Department already carries out such risk assessments during the authorisation process for pesticides, it is anticipated that there will be no additional implications for Irish farming.