Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 776: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the annual value of the horticulture industry; the numbers of persons employed in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27385/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The horticulture industry, including non-food crops and potatoes, was valued at approximately €400 million in 2011 or 6.4% of total agricultural output.

Whilst there are no detailed statistics of the number of persons employed in horticulture, the industry is labour intensive and it is estimated that as many as 8,500 are employed across the food and non-food areas.

The general state of the economy and the availability of credit from banks are the two main factors impacting on the industry. As horticulture consists of a number of sectors, different factors can influence its well being, e.g. weather can very much influence both the growth of plants and demand for plants as is evidenced by the recent bad weather which depressed demand for nursery stock. Other factors include the role of the supermarkets, exchange rates particularly in the mushroom sector and energy costs. Whilst the industry is under some pressure, the outlook is generally positive.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 777: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the horticultural industry will be required to conform to new specification and standards in relation to the use of chemical by 2014; his plans in relation to assisting the industry in preparation for the introduction of any new standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27387/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have recently introduced legislation (S.I. No 155 of 2012) to give effect to EU Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. My Department issued a proposal for public consultation in July 2011 and comments received were taken into account when drafting the legislation. The legislation sets down deadline dates by which its various provisions must be met. Inter alia, the legislation requires professional users of pesticides to hold a certificate confirming that he/she has been trained to a standard listed in Annex I to the Directive, by 26th November 2015. In addition, professional users are required to apply the general principles of Integrated Pest Management by 1st January 2014 as set out in Annex III to the Directive. Appropriate training will be made available. The Sustainable Use Directive aims to reduce the risk from pesticide usage on human health and the environment and is designed to further enhance the high level of protection for man, animals and the environment achieved through the regulatory system for pesticides.