Written answers
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Department of Agriculture and Food
Herbicide Controls
9:00 pm
Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his Department's policies in respect of the spraying of 2,4,D; if it has guidelines in respect of this or other pesticides or herbicides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2646/09]
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Pesticide substances, including 2,4-D, are assessed for health and environmental effects and risks by experts from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Agency and the Member States and are approved if they exhibit no unacceptable risks. Pesticide products, containing those EU approved substances, are authorised in Ireland by the Pesticide Control Service of my Department in accordance with Regulations implementing relevant EU Directives. Only authorised pesticide products may be marketed and used in Ireland and pesticides with unacceptable health or environmental risks will not be authorised.
The Regulations also require that all pesticides must be used in accordance with the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) specified in the approval and in accordance with Good Plant Protection Practice. Inter alia, the approval sets down the areas to be treated, the rates, timing and frequency of use and contains information on how the pesticide may be safely used.
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