Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

228. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the continued licensing of glyphosate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16419/16]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

235. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking with other European Union member states, regarding the re-authorisation of glyphosate before the 1 July 2016 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16562/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 235 together.

Glyphosate is a non-selective systemic herbicide that is applied directly to plant foliage. It was first commercialised in the mid 1970’s and is registered worldwide. Its uses incorporate agriculture, forestry, industrial, home and garden, and semi aquatic areas.

A decision on renewal of the approval of glyphosate for use in plant protection products placed on the market in the EU is due to be made by 30 June 2016. The issue has been discussed by Member State representatives at meetings of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed held on 7-8 March 2016 and 18-19 May 2016. A vote has not been taken yet on the EU Commission proposal for renewal of approval.

The Commission’s draft proposal is based on a very extensive evaluation performed by Germany and peer reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Member State experts. The EU peer review process was comprehensive and rigorous and was specially extended to allow for detailed consideration of the report produced in 2015 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation. Following the extended peer review, EFSA concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans. This conclusion was supported by 27 out of 28 Member State toxicology experts, and is in line with the conclusions of other regulatory agencies around the world, including those in Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States.

My Department considers that the EU peer review process for glyphosate has clearly identified safe uses and that the regulatory proposal presented contained appropriate measures for implementation by Member States to address concerns that have been raised.

It should be noted that the legal basis for the appropriate chemical hazard classification of glyphosate in Europe, including its carcinogenic potential, will be provided by an assessment overseen by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which is due to begin later in 2016 and run for 18 months.

Ireland has supported Commission proposals for renewal of approval for Glyphosate.