Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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26. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the obligation on farmers to attend pesticide spraying courses, if he is satisfied with the regulations on the use of pesticides and their effect on the food chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26107/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The EU regulatory system governing the authorisation, marketing and use of pesticides is the most stringent in the world. While actual product authorisation processes have been harmonised in the EU for nearly 30 years now, the harmonisation of the use of such products across the Member States is a relatively more recent development.

The main regulations pertaining to “Plant Protection Products” (referred to as the pesticides package) have all undergone rigorous revision in the last 10 years, resulting in more uniformity across the EU, with enhanced levels of safety for both consumers and users alike. The last number of years has seen the removal of over 600 active substances from the EU market (many of which are still used in 3rd countries) and safety profile of the remaining active substances has significantly improved.

Included in this suite of regulations is Directive 2009/128/EC. Broadly speaking this Directive, referred to as the “Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive”, establishes a framework for European Community action to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides. This is achieved by setting common standards to reduce the risks to human health and the environment that are associated with pesticide use. This directive includes requirements for Member States to ensure that advisors, distributors and professional users of “Plant Protection Products” are trained to a minimum standard. The directive also includes elements on the testing of “pesticide application equipment” and use restrictions around sensitive areas, as well as making the adoption of “integrated pest management” practices by farmers, mandatory.

Successful implementation of the Directive relies heavily on the level of training the various players in the sector are required to have. Many individuals have already completed training that meets the requirements of the Direcctive. My Department recognises the following courses as meeting the standard of training required for Professional Users under the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive:

- FETAC 5N1797 – Boom Sprayer;

- FETAC 5N0731 – Handheld Sprayer;

- City & Guilds PA1 + PA2a – Boom Sprayer;

- City & Guilds PA1 + PA6 – Handheld Sprayer.

My Department also implements a comprehensive programme to control pesticide residues in food. This programme is developed in consultation with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the EU Commission and involves the analysis of some 1,500 samples of agricultural produce of plant and animal origin for residues of up to 400 pesticides and metabolites. In the very small number of instances where excessive residues are found, appropriate follow-up action is taken.

I am confident that an increase in training and education of all involved in the plant protection industry will have a very positive effect into the future. As an economy heavily reliant on food exports, international image and public perception is everything. An educated, adaptive and responsive crop sector has a role to play in the achievement of the goals established in “Food Harvest 2020” and as such, any initiative that enhances our global reputation for producing, pure and wholesome food products has to be welcomed.